2 powerful cyclones to hit northern Australia

SYDNEY, Australia – Two powerful cyclones are expected to smash into northern Australia, bringing drenching rains and wind gusts up to 260 km/h.

The twin storms are both expected to hit remote areas when they make landfall early Friday, about 2,500 km apart. Cyclone Lam is on track to cross over a sparsely-populated stretch of the Northern Territory, while the more powerful Cyclone Marcia is expected to hit the eastern coast of Queensland state a few hours later.

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The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Marcia had a very destructive core, had intensified rapidly and could grow stronger before it strikes. It is likely to bring storm surges that could cause flooding in low-lying areas.