Cyclones wreak havoc in remote northwest Australia

Satellite images showing cyclones Lam, left, and Marcia.

Houses with roofs peeled back like tin cans. Trees torn out by the roots and tossed on to buildings. A 4WD crushed by a huge trunk. Metal telephone towers levelled.

Rescue and recovery teams have entered the four remote Australian Northern Territory communities hit hardest by Cyclone Lam and are beginning to catalogue the damage.

About 5000 residents in Galiwinku on Elcho Island, Gapuwiyak in Arnhem Land, Milingimbi and Ramingining bore the brunt of the category four storm as it carved a path of wreckage on Friday.

The Northern Territory Government declared a state of emergency in those areas.

Acting Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said although most people had been "absolutely fantastic" in working with emergency services, there had been "some people wanting to reside in accommodation that's not fit for living".

Under the Emergency Management Act, NT Police can force residents to evacuate, to assist in saving of life or property, to order businesses, public spaces and roads open or closed, and to use reasonable force if required.

On Saturday, 58 people, including emergency services personnel and the Red Cross, were sent to to the four communities.

Power is being progressively restored, along with water and sewerage services.

Kershaw said recovery efforts were focused on Galiwinku and Milingimbi.

About 40 houses in Galiwinku were significantly damaged, with smashed windows and roofs, and another six were totally destroyed.

"Lots of trees are down across power lines and roads, and there's some minor water damage," Kershaw said.

Given the force of the cyclone, with winds reaching 260km/h, it was remarkable there had been no major injuries or any loss of life.

A total of 87 residents of Warruwi on Goulburn Island were flown home yesterday after being evacuated on Thursday before Lam hit.

The rest of the 426-person community is still being housed in a pavilion at the Darwin Showgrounds, Kershaw said.

— AAP