Cyclone stays at sea

Breaking Earth News

Australia

Photo: Wild storm: Massive waves pound the coal carrier Pasha Bulker at Nobbys Beach in Newcastle. Picture: Liam Driver

WIND gusted to 100km/h as 10m waves, pushed ashore by a cyclonic depression, pounded the NSW coast yesterday.But a forecast cyclone failed to eventuate, the worst of the depression centering about 50km out to sea and losing its cyclonic strength 10-20km off shore.

Fears of cyclonic wind and torrential rain sparked widespread alerts on Tuesday from the South Coast to the Hunter Valley, with residents warned to "batten down the hatches" for a category two cyclone.