The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued its most recent warning on the steadily approaching category 5 Tropical Cyclone Ita.

As of 2:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Friday, Ita was located approximately 145 kilometers (90 miles) north-northeast of Cooktown and 305 kilometers (189 miles) north of Cairns. The massive storm is bearing down on the coast of northeast Australia as it moves in a south-southwesterly path at approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) per hour.

The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre of the BOM has issued a cyclone warning for coastal areas extending from Cape Sidmouth to Innisfail, including Cooktown, Port Douglas and Cairns. The warning also extends inland to areas that include Kalinga, Mareeba and Chillagoe.

The Centre reports that a cyclone watch has been put in place for coastal areas ranging from Innisfail to Cardwell and includes any and all adjacent inland areas.

The BOM has upgraded Ita's status to a "Severe" Tropical Cyclone. It warns that as a category 5 storm, Ita will bring with it "very destructive winds" of up to 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour) near the core with gusts extending out up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the storm's center.

"Tropical Cyclone Ita poses a serious threat to communities along the far north Queensland coast," the Tropical Cyclone Warning center said on Friday afternoon. "It is expected to ... make landfall between Cape Melville and Cooktown this evening or tonight."

Residents in coastal areas between Cape Melville and Cape Tribulation, including those in Cooktown have also been advised that the storm will cause a dangerous rise in sea level to well above normal tide. Damaging waves, strong currents and flooding in low-lying areas are expected to extend far inland.

These residents are warned to take the proper precautions to protect their property and to prepare themselves for evacuation procedures if mandated by local authorities.

Specifically, people between Cape Sidmouth and Innisfail and adjacent inland areas including Laura, Kalinga, Palmerville, Mareeba and Chillagoe have been advised to complete their preparations quickly and be ready to shelter in a safe place.

Additionally, residents living between Innisfail and Cardwell as well as adjacent inland areas should consider what actions they will need to take if the cyclone threat in that part of the country increases.

"[Cyclone Ita] is an extreme event," Police, Fire & Emergency Services Minister Jack Dempsey told Australian residents. "It has the possibility to take lives and the potential to damage severely property in the north Queensland area."

-----

For the latest news & updates, follow reporter Bary Alyssa Johnson on Twitter: @MissBary