Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle: ‘Vulnerable’ evacuees from Katherine aged care homes housed in open-sided basketball court

Frail aged care residents from two Katherine facilities were evacuated to an open-sided basketball court at MacFarlane primary school ahead of flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle, where they slept in makeshift conditions with rain blowing into the shelter. Many of the evacuees are under public guardianship due to reduced mental capacity, raising concerns about their welfare during the emergency. The Northern Territory public guardian noted that vulnerable residents "would have been very frightened" in those conditions. The evacuation was ordered as authorities prepared for major river flooding triggered by the deep tropical low-pressure system moving through the region. The incident has highlighted questions about emergency preparedness for aged care facilities housing vulnerable populations in cyclone-prone areas.