A brief note relaying that Cyclone Narelle passed Lizard Island to the north on Thursday, 19 March, 2026, with no structural damage to the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Station, nor the nearby Resort, and minimal damage to the island’s vegetation. Researchers have not yet had a chance to get out on the water to assess damage to nearby coral reefs.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science weather station at Lizard Island recorded maximum wind gusts of approximately 100 km/h during the event – less than originally feared, thankfully.
A team of 13 staff, researchers, and contractors followed a set of well-planned emergency procedures to prepare the Station for a potential Category 4 to 5 cyclone impact. Five people departed the Station ahead of the cyclone and 8 people remained to finalise preparations before seeking refuge overnight in the Station’s John Gough Cyclone Shelter. This shelter, built to withstand Category 5 cyclones, was constructed in 2017 with funding from The Ian Potter Foundation and accommodates 36 people. It was the first time it had been utilized for its intended use and more about its build and function can be read here. At the time of construction the building crew said it was the strongest building they have ever built. It has a special ventilation system, heavy duty debris screens over its two windows, a secondary escape hatch and a backup power supply. It is also air-conditioned so it can be used to store sensitive electronic equipment when not being used as a cyclone shelter.
Station Co-Director Dr Emily Howells spoke with ABC News on Friday about their preparation and observations in this 3-minute video
Clean up is now underway and the Station is fully operational. Researchers have re-commenced their experiments and an education group of 22 people delayed in Cairns arrived at the Station yesterday.