2 powerful cyclones to hit northern Australia

Two powerful storms were on track to smash into northern Australia, where officials urged residents to flee coastal areas or take shelter in anticipation of drenching rains, fierce winds and possible flooding.

The twin storms, dubbed the "cyclone sandwich" by locals, were both expected to hit remote areas when they make landfall early Friday, about 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles) apart. Cyclone Lam was heading for a sparsely-populated stretch of the Northern Territory, while the more powerful Cyclone Marcia was expected to hit the eastern coast of Queensland state a few hours later with wind gusts up to 295 kilometers (180 miles) an hour.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Marcia had a "very destructive core," had intensified rapidly and could grow stronger before it strikes. The cyclone was likely to cause flooding in low-lying areas, the bureau warned. (AP)

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