Cyclones set to hit east, west coasts

PARKS and wildlife rangers yesterday began evacuating holidaymakers from Fraser Island as an intense low pressure system packing gale-force winds headed for the popular tourist destination north of Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

As the volatile system headed slowly south, threatening to bring huge waves and high winds to much of the Queensland coast, the Bureau of Meteorology said there was a significant risk of a severe tropical cyclone developing on the other side of the country, off Western Australia's northwest coast.

Senior forecaster Andrew Burton said people between Exmouth and Broome could be at risk over the next 48 hours, with the low-pressure system last night being upgraded to the category one cyclone Melanie.

Forecasters are also monitoring a low in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which is expected to develop into a cyclone early next week.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22983078-2702,00.html