Poor Queensland may cop it again!!!

[Lismore Bloke]

The long range forecaster doesn't have good news. Possible future cyclones ... I certainly hope not. They've had enough grief already.

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/more-flooding-predicted-for-queensland/15951

[jjjnettie]

Aye, we've been advised out here to stock up our cupboards and prepare for more floods. Always good advice for this time of year anyway.
Our local supermarket hasn't been able to restock the vegie section. And what is there is expensive. It's only going to get worse. So tinned and frozen is the only way to go atm.
Both our servos now have fuel so we can fill up the car. What they had was reserved for essential services.

[Lismore Bloke]

Hi jjj,

Keep safe up there, there's a nice band of storms moving up.

It sounds like a vege garden in the back yard is a good project.
Fresh produce prices will be "astronomical".

[jjjnettie]

I'm keeping an eye on those storms. Hoping the one on the left will rain itself out before it can reach me.

[astroron]

Didn't get much out of the Storm :D A few bangs and a drop of rain and that's it:thumbsup:
Cheers

[jjjnettie]

Yeah, but the one about to hit me is one big brown patch on the radar. And you know I don't "do" lightning and thunder. Bit of a wus I'm afraid.:scared3:

Time to shut down and unplug. See you on the other side. :sadeyes:

[astroron]

It looks like you might catch the edge of it Jeanette, I hope I am Right:thumbsup:
Nothing for here :D

[Lismore Bloke]

Mmm, that Kilcoy storm cell is black in the middle. Normally means Big Hail!!!

[astroron]

Just looked at the Radar big cell heading straight for here :help:over Maleny at the moment.
Cheers

[astroron]

Looks like the storm as faded away :) but may get some rain:rolleyes:
Cheers

[ballaratdragons]

The storm hit Brisbane.
My Mother-in-law has no power because of it. (Everton Park)

[shelltree]

Hasn't Brisbane been through enough? :( Every time it rains now I start freaking out! Although I must say these scorching days have probably helped dry things out a little, it just seems that even after the afternoon storm has passed it just keeps raining. Let's hope for the odd arvo storm and nothing more. This weather makes me a touch scared...

[ballaratdragons]

Southeast QLD about to get more tonight: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/storm-warning-reissued-20110120-19xew.html?from=brisbanetimes_sb

[Jules76]

That storm on Tuesday afternoon was crazy! I was home with my 7 year old and we watched in amazement at the bucketing rain, the chunks of hail (not round balls) about the size of a 5 cent piece bouncing off the trampoline and the swirling wind which made it seem like it was raining and hailing from every direction. I can only describe it like a mini cyclone.

My partner got caught up in it and was driving back from the Mt Ommaney shops. She had to pull over because it was buffeting the car around widly and there were trees and branches falling down hitting the power lines and causing sparks to fly everywhere. It caused similar destruction where we were, trees knocked over (including one which fell on a house over in Darra), debris strewn all over the place and apparently there was a couple of car accidents nearby as well which we heard emergency services respond to. Even the Channel 10 chopper came over to do a few close flybys so it was all happening here!

We were all OK but without power until about 10:30PM which made cooking on the portable camp stove by torch light fun!

Crazy weather.

[Lismore Bloke]

This forum has some interesting future cyclone weather modelling. The guys on this forum were warning about the tragedy in the Lockyer Valley before BOM got off it's butt and issued warnings.

http://forum.weatherzone.com.au/ubbthreads.php/topics/887679/114

Here's a forecast for future cyclone tracks.
I hope they're wrong.

http://wxweb.meteostar.com/models/ipsm_looper.php?PROD=2011012400_ANZ _GFS_SFC_WINDS_SLP

[hotspur]

Making sand bags today!

[renormalised]

Future cyclone tracks??!!!. We've got one off the coast already (Anthony) and it's the one on that map starting at Jan 24 and coming back this way...which BOM are predicting as well.

[Liz]

Looking at ex cyclone Anthony and it has increased in size (seems to have anyway) quite a bit in the last few hours as it heads NW!! Yikes.

[renormalised]

It'll probably redevelop over the next few days...will have to keep an eye out on this one.

[Kevnool]

This surely is the land of droughts and flooding rains.

Cheers Kev.

[ballaratdragons]

I am looking at all the maps in the links above, checked weather sites myself, and yet I cannot see any cyclone forming off QLD. :shrug:

Where are you guys looking please?

[Liz]

Well, hopefully nothing ken, but excylone Anthony headed way out east a few days ago, but is near heading back in again, and getting larger.
This am, that Anthony blob wasnt even there in the satellite image, but now quite easy to identify. Not close to a cyclone yet, and hopefully wont get there, but we are watching it.

[ballaratdragons]

Ahhh, ok, thanks Liz. Now I see what you are all saying. Yep, saw that out there. :thumbsup:

[Kevnool]

Heres a pic from 4.33 today.

Cheers Kev.

[renormalised]

Still has a good rotational circulation...give it a day or two and it'll crank right up again.

[Lismore Bloke]

The US Navy has TC Anthony on their site:

http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/TC.html

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, moving Northwestward at 03 knots. Current heading: Cairns.

[renormalised]

It's just redeveloped as a Cat 1 cyclone....they're expecting it to make landfall somewhere between Cairns and Mackay early next week. Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

[Lismore Bloke]

Yes, I just noticed that.
This modelling has an ever bigger system hitting the coast just afterwards.
Check the last panel!!!! Scary stuff if it eventuates.
Time to make preparations

http://wxmaps.org/pix/aus.vv.html

[Meanderer]

Hello All,
Cyclone WATCH Innisfail to St Lawrence
Feeling not edgy but aware, more so than in the past. Must be related to recent climate events being so dramatic? BOM TC Forecast Track Map @ 10.54 EST has plotted it's course just north of Ayr which is south of Townsville 0400 31/1/11

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

Take care Townsville and surrounds George:thumbsup:

[Jeeps]

Yay! Just in time for the new moon too! :(

cheers

[AdrianF]

Off the subject of qld what about the forecast for Perth with Bianca forecast to cross the WA coast just south of Perth.

Adrian

[Meanderer]

That's right, I did see it and it's CAT 3 I think? will check and get back if wrong. Just checked and yes Cat 3.
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW60281.shtml

George

[Lismore Bloke]

Check the photos of Bianca on this forum. Unreal images, especially the big black and white one showing the tight rotation:

http://forum.weatherzone.com.au/ubbthreads.php/topics/934334/25

[renormalised]

Bianca will be a low by the time it gets down there so they'll only get a bit of wind and some rain. Cyclones rarely go so far south and stay active.

[Meanderer]

Earlier on I was about to suggest really unusual after living Perth 20 years. I thought to ring a friend that I knew would know and he said 2 over the last 20-30 years and reminded me of one doing a lot of damage to the Busselton jetty, which is not to far from were Bianca is heading. Has reduced to CAT 2, expecting further reduction. Hoping Carl is spot on.

[supernova1965]

Every time I see an update on Anthony (Thanks all the Tony's out there:rofl::Pyou all know them:D) it looks like it will hit somewhere between Townsville and Mackay and it looks like Mackay will get destructive winds with Townsville just missing out on the destructive winds. It is creeping further south even though bom's predicted path says it will hit between Ayr and Bowen its current path seems to be straight at Mackay at least it is not a real powerful one with winds only at 120klm at the eye.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

[renormalised]

It won't go anywhere near Mackay, Warren....don't panic. Actually, given the ridge coming up the coast it'll more likely turn to the west and come in either where they said it will or a bit further north.

[supernova1965]

I hope it stays well away from you guys and just goes out over open ocean and stays well away from everone

[renormalised]

That's the ideal situation, but I'm afraid it's not going to happen. The upper level winds and the ridge are driving it towards the coast.

[Lismore Bloke]

Yes, I think that's what is going to happen.

A much bigger cyclone (Yasi) is off Vanuatu:

http://www.meteo.gov.vu/TropicalCyclones/TCTrackMap/tabid/173/Default.aspx

The US Navy's projected track:

http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/sh1111.gif

It looks much bigger and meaner than TC Anthony.

[mangrovedutch]

G'day, I use this site a lot when I fished 2-3x a week, it might be useful for others
http://www.wxmaps.org/pix/aus.vv.html

For those up North - Stay safe, and if you do get hit, let us know, I'm sure that if you need anything or help of any sort, we would help where we could. How good is Australia - people are always ready to help those in need. I am a Dutchman, but Naturalised, and I wouldn't be anywhere else in the world.

Regards, Dutch

[whitedingo001]

:sadeyes: Gday everyone, Dan in Mackay here. It seems Anthony will cross the coast near Bowen later tonight or early in the morning. At the moment 7.45pm it is just heavy rain and blowing a gale. That big one out at sea is tipped for Wed or Thurs { can anyone please make it go away?}. The Hurricane Zone website has a great satellite view of it. Too big for me to want to play with it. Oh well, the stars will shine again one day. Enjoy the clear skies if anyone can find them. None here.

[ballaratdragons]

Welcome Dan.

1st post and you are about to get blown away :lol:

Don't forget to come back after the storms :thumbsup:
Stay safe mate.

[whitedingo001]

Thanks Ken, Im sort of over cyclones since Ilui last year. Maybe its time to go back to Kalgoorlie again. We never got em there.:lol:

[supernova1965]

The eye is about to cross right over Bowen it is quite a large eye we are getting quite a bit of rain and a fair amount of wind here in Mackay.

[ballaratdragons]

Stay safe inside, Warren and Dan and everyone else up there.

[jjjnettie]

I think Anthony is just the appetizer, Main Course is on the way.:sadeyes:

[astroron]

Stay safe Warren:thumbsup:

[renormalised]

Warren's fairly safe in Mackay...bit of wind and rain, but nothing like it is just up the coast. We dodged a bullet up here, but we have another one heading our way, now. Looks like it's keep the hatches closed for awhile yet.

[ballaratdragons]

Well don't go outside trying to get pics of it Carl.
I know a lot of people try.

Stay safe mate.

[astroron]

Carl You all stay safe up there you hear;):thumbsup:
The next one looks like a big banger compared to Anthony:eyepop:
Cheers

[renormalised]

There's probably twits down Airlie way out on windsurfers as we speak, or would've been earlier on in the afternoon.

I can assure you, I'm not one of them :)

[renormalised]

It's much larger....they're expecting it to reach Cat 4 or higher just before it gets here, on Thursday (all things being equal). The JTWC have it crossing up near Cardwell, but it could go anywhere. Even if it hit up there, we'd be copping a pounding with rain and wind.

We're all preparing (or are prepared) for the eventuality of these storms, but hope for the best.

[renormalised]

Here's a satellite image of TC Yasi, at 11:32pm on the 30th (yesterday)....

[renormalised]

Here's a satellite image of Anthony at the same time....

[bartman]

Heya Dutch,
I too am from Nederland and Naturalised.
And I thoroughly agree with your statement!

"How good is Australia - people are always ready to help those in need. I am a Dutchman, but Naturalised, and I wouldn't be anywhere else in the world."

Back in Nederland, people would peer from behind their curtains and do nothing.( from my observations back in the day...... no dissing the Dutch, cause I still am Nederlands by Heart).

Schoone nachten en altijd naar boven kijken! (clear nights and keep looking up)

Bartman

[Liz]

Cyclone Anthony was very kind to us here in Townsville, barely a drop and a breeze, phew. I had had my bag packed as get evacuated normally, but no worries. :thumbsup:

[CraigS]

Glad to hear it, Liz.

It must be frustrating not being able to make any definite plans .. given all the uncertainty with these things .. looks like life gets put on hold everytime one shows up. (I've never lived in the tropics .. but I feel for you guys/gals).

Cheers

[astroron]

I am happy to see you are safe Liz:)
Just Hope Cyclone #2 is kind to everyone:thumbsup:
Cheers

[Liz]

Hey, I love it up here Craig, as most of us do, and wouldnt be any where else. :thumbsup: It is the best palce, with the most beautiful weather, apart from the 3 dodgy summer months.




Yes Ron, it could affect a lot more people than little Anthony, right along the coast of Qld, any coastal region could cop it. :(

[mangrovedutch]

G'day Warren, I see a green dot on your little box- you must be ok as well. Hope you didn't get to busted up.

Regards, Dutch

[renormalised]

The predicted path for Yasi puts landfall somewhere between Tully and Ingham....closer to Ingham if the path is correct. If it lands there, even though they're 110kms away, we'll still get 60-80knt winds in town, seeing how big they're predicting it to become. What I'm more worried about is the dam. It's full to the brim already...if we get a big downpour with Yasi (which could be a metre or more of rain), I'm just wondering how the dam is going to cope. If it broke, we'd be in all sorts of bother.

[supernova1965]

No not busted up fair bit of wind though and the car was getting quite a wobble up being blown so the shockies were getting a work out but our house survived Ilue last year without any damage it is a good solid house built back when they knew how to build houses:P:rofl:.A QLDer but it is only on short stumps not a two story one.

[mangrovedutch]

That is good to hear, Warren, one gone and another on its way. You might need new shockies after that one LOL. As for Carl's statement , you would think that if the dam was at capacity, they would start releasing water ASAP. I believe that is why Ipswich got flooded - because they released 100+Megalitres a day, during and after the rain event and with big tides. I was taught PPPPPP (Prior Preparation Prevents P#ss Poor Performance). And Beattie called us the smart state, and even released number plates saying that we are the smart state. It's making me wonder.........

Regards, Dutch

[renormalised]

They have been releasing water, Dutch, but we get that much rain up here it doesn't make much difference in any case. Ask Warren, he'll tell you what sort of rain we get. I've been in rain that heavy that standing no more than 5 feet away from the truck I was in at the time, I couldn't see it. It was like standing under a waterfall.

[supernova1965]

Yeah and if it is really raining like that don't open your mouth or stand on your hands so your nostrels are pointing up because you will drown just like if you were underwater it is no different:P:rofl::help:

[Liz]

Yikes ... hadnt heard where it was heading Carl, though looking at the satellite, it may be closer than we would like. :sadeyes:

[Liz]

Oh man, you live dangerously Warren. :scared2:

[mangrovedutch]

Carl, Good to hear they are releasing water already. I used to live at Grass Tree Beach just outside Sarina in the late 80s, and remember the down pours back then (though a little hazy on some of those memories. Over indulged......), but they were not associated with Tropical Lows or Cyclones. I couldn't imagine a metre of rain falling in less than a couple of hours. That must be quite a sight. I hope that you Guys and Gals up north get spared the grief of another bigger cyclone. Then again I hope it doesn't track down the coast either. Stay safe

Regards, Dutch

[renormalised]

It'll be here by Thursday....they're expecting it to intensify to a large Cat 5, the conditions are good for it to do so.

Soon see what happens.

[supernova1965]

BLIMY that think could cover the whole state that's a worry seriously:scared::scared3:

[renormalised]

It's over 1000 miles across.

[erick]

Is it red? Not on a visit from Jupiter? :question:

[Exfso]

Here is another animation of the beast:

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic2/real-time/austeast/movies/gmsirn/gmsirnjava.html

[astroron]

Wow!that is a big one http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/../vbiis/images/smilies/eyepopping.gif
Batten down the hatches in the next couple of days :rolleyes:
Cheers

[supernova1965]

And they say size doesn't matter:P:help:

[cybereye]

Latest from BOM...

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

[Mick]

Very dangerous situation developing in the north.

[Liz]

Geeze!! :help:
What site did you get that image from Mick?

[Mick]

Yes sorry I should have put a link in. It's from a weather forum site link attached.

http://forum.weatherzone.com.au/ubbthreads.php/topics/945610/3

[Octane]

That is insane.

H

[renormalised]

The central core of the cyclone where the strongest winds are will be more than 200 miles wide by the time it gets to here. I'm afraid this one is going to hammer us, badly. Even if the eye passed directly over Cairns, we'd still be in the destructive core of the storm.

If it crosses where they say it will, I expect at least 12 hours or more of exceptionally high winds and driving rain (they're saying it's dumping rain at 500mm/hr at present).

[jjjnettie]

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/sohemiloops/shirgmscol.html


500mm an hour, geezus.

[renormalised]

They say it's one of the largest storms they've seen develop off the east coast.

[marki]

Crikey thats massive. I hope you guys have got access to a submarine :(. Take care and find somewhere safe to hide as I don't think the bathtub and carton of beer is going to cut it for this one.

Mark

[renormalised]

Gonna need a sub, Mark.

They'll probably think about evacuating people if they have to.

[Liz]

Yes, I think so to, I am on low lying beachfront so heading to friends on Wed am. :thumbsup:

[astroron]

All the best Liz, Carl and anyone else up there, my thoughts are with you:thumbsup:
Cheers

[renormalised]

Thanks Ron :)....I doubt we'll dodge this bullet.

[Octane]

All the best, guys.

This thing is going to be massive.

H

[supernova1965]

Several areas of Mackay have been advised to evacuate on Tuesday and not to wait for Wednesday as they believe we will have a storm surge that will inundate low lying areas.

http://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/about_council/news_and_media_centre/media_releases/low_lying_residents_need_to_relocat e

http://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/40091/Brown_Zone.pdf

[alan meehan]

GEEZ You ladies and gents stay safe up there this ones huge,i just flew out of qld yesterday no wonder it was a bumpy ride.
AL

[Exfso]

Here is a very interesting explaination of what to expect and the current situation.

http://www.youtube.com/user/robcenter1#p/a/u/0/PT1bmcv7GL4

[jjjnettie]

Great link Peter, thanks.

[Liz]

Yasi has headed north a little ... bit better for us, but no so good for our Cairns people. Coulld still do anything of course.
Oh well, off to work. :D

[supernova1965]

Unfortunatly I think even if it goes on current predictions everyone right down to Yepoon will be feeling this one in some way or another a very scary system.

[Lismore Bloke]

Here's another scary possibility AFTER the current Cyclone Yasi moves inland. Current indications are that another system is starting to build in the same area of ocean and is due to hit about February 15 and much further south than Yasi. i certainly hope not.

It's worth playing the loop.


http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=en&MENU=0000000000&CONT=aupa&MODELL=gfs&MODELLTYP=1&BASE=-&VAR=prec&HH=324&ZOOM=0&ARCHIV=0&WMO=&PERIOD=

[renormalised]

Looks like they may get a big blow going down Bundy way....no good if it happens.

[Lismore Bloke]

Check the price of airline tickets from Townsville to Brisbane!!!

Talk about greedy, profiteering scumbags!!!:mad2::mad2:

http://forum.weatherzone.com.au/ubbthreads.php/topics/947348/Severe_Tropical_Cyclone_Yasi_p#Post 947348

[jjjnettie]

They are the stinking rotten festering pustules of society.:mad2:

People will remember this.

[Exfso]

Talk about a low act, these companies should be well and truly scrutinised by the ACCC, however that organisation is somewhat a "toothless tiger". Time for the Govt to step in and make available their C130 fleet for evacuation, they did it after Tracy in Darwin, mind you that was after the fact, but nothing like pre-empting things I reckon. That would definitely earn the Govt some votes, but I reckon we might be expecting a lot for them to go down this path.:eyepop:

[renormalised]

They have the C17's as well. But if they had to get everyone out, the Govt would requisition all the airline's planes to assist.

[Exfso]

Yep, if they had half a brain I reckon that would be the way to go. Better to be safe than sorry. This system is a monster and no matter which way one looks at it, it is going to be devastating, they really do have to pull their finger out and stop talking and show more action. History dictates that they will, as usual, sit on their hands and do zip.:mad2:

[renormalised]

I agree....the pollies will wait too long to get those people who can't do it themselves, out by plane. Those that can drive out should go now, or go when they can (but not leave it too late).

[Exfso]

I note that the met station at Willis Island to the east of Cairns is getting a steady 26kts from the SSE already and rainbands approaching. The cyclone is a couple of hundred KM from it at present, so it shows how massive this thing is. The latest weather there has the barometer at 1003. This thing is forecast to go just to the north of the island. I would not like to be the resident weathman stationed there.
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR412.loop.shtml#skip

[renormalised]

It's about 600km from Willis Is.

[Exfso]

Yeah Carl, that would be about right, I didnt measure it, shows how big it is hey.

[Meanderer]

Bunnings Mackay this morning worse than a Saturday morning, car park was a jam.
Generator's all sold by 0900 a employee told me 14 pallet loads sold in hours, how many to a pallet I asked, the answer was 4.
Yea all I could see was 5 KW @ $900. Ply board was in big demand.
Sarina looked busy as I passed through earlier, stopped in on way back for fortnightly shop. I noticed Bread gone, Powdered and long life milks all but gone, Bottled water all but gone and there was not a full supply of fresh veggies, aftermath of Brisy floods.
Service stations looked busy, I am south of these cities, thinking its still going to get wet, windy and possible power outage.
I was thinking driving home, I wonder if those people thought the need of engine oil for there generators ?

Thanks to all for the updates, alerts and best wishes up north.

[Liz]

Yep, same here, shelves very empty, and lines to servos long.
Generaters must be a huge sale over the affected area!!

[renormalised]

We're lucky because next door has 3 generators. But if this storm starts to turn further south, we're going to head south. As far as we can.

[astroron]

Carl I remember getting chased down the coast by Cyclone Kirstine in 1976 but it it was nothing on the scale of this monster:eyepop:
Stay safe mate :thumbsup:
Cheers

[ballaratdragons]

It was about 1969-70 when Christmas holidaying in Cairns as a kid that a cyclone was heading towards us.

They told all tourists and campers to leave Cairns.
We, and every other camper, packed up tents, caravans, etc and headed down to Townsville.
Next day it hit us all in Townsville!

Yep, their path is unpredictable.

[astroron]

Ken I think that might have been Cyclone Althea :question:

[ballaratdragons]

I wouldn't know Ron.
All I remember was the general panic and lots of activity as people ran around tying caravans down and chasing tents as they blew away.
I was also amazed at how many fishermen ran down to the end of the pier at the height of the cyclone to jag Tailor as they swam into the harbour for protection! :screwy:

We huddled in our little home-made Caravan that my dad tied to some trees and watched these crazy fishermen :lol:

[leon]

That is unbelievable the rotten mongrels, and then it's back to normal pricing when the place is in ruins, they should hold their head in shame.

Leon

[renormalised]

It's just the way these corporate types think....most are sociopaths. No concern for anyone but themselves and what they can get out of people, at any cost.

[Exfso]

Not sure how many here know how to read these, but the Aerodrome forecast for Cairns is forecasting periods of wind from 1100z tomorrow night to be 160deg at 100kts gusting to 140knots. Now that is mind boggling. I sure as hell would not want to be anywhere near this when it comes ashore.


TAF YBCS 011031Z 0112/0212 15015G25KT 9999 LIGHT SHOWERS OF RAIN
SCT025 FM011800 16025G35KT 9999 LIGHT SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN025
FM020200 16035G50KT 9999 LIGHT SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN025 FM020800
16050G70KT 6000 RAIN BKN015 FM021100 160100G140KT 2000 RAIN BKN010
OVC015 INTER 0112/0124 4000 SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN018 TEMPO 0200/0208
1000 RAIN BKN015 TEMPO 0208/0212 0500 HEAVY RAIN BKN005 OVC010 RMK T
27 26 25 26 Q 1008 1007 1005 1005

[Tandum]

My god, it truely is huge. Is that thing really a cat 4 cyclone? It's going to cream everyone and everything.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDE00902.loop.shtml

[supernova1965]

These two Google Earth images really give an idea of the scale of this cyclone the first is a wide view and the second is a close up:scared:

[Rick Petrie]

This storm Yasi has now been reclassified this morning to a cat 5.
This unfortunately means that there will be a lot of devastation in the area.
We can only hope that all you people in north Queensland stay safe and out of it's path. Our thoughts are with you.

[Bobj]

It has started to come over the coast around the Mackay area. No big winds...yet.

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/sohemiloops/shirgmscol.html

Cheers, Bobj.

[Lismore Bloke]

This terrible storm system is about as bad as it gets. The warnings from BOM are very serious. Anyone on the coastal belt between Cairns to Townsville should consider leaving if they can ... now!

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

[supernova1965]

Thunder started and wind at 5.50am Wednesday in Mackay we maybe heading inland to moranbah to stay with friends

[Lismore Bloke]

That's a good idea, keep safe Warren.

Bobj's posted image shows there is enough material being flung off the tail of this monster to form another system. Don't be surprised if a couple more don't form in the next week or two.

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/sohemiloops/shirgmscol.html

[renormalised]

Well, this is the last you'll be hearing from me for awhile. We will pack stuff up here and see what the next bulletins at 8 and 11 am say. That should give us enough time to stow everything away as best we can, get final prep's ready and head south if we decide to. This storm is going to do a huge amount of damage and probably kill quite a few people (hopefully no one, but I'm not too confident of that).

See ya later everyone....catch you all the other side of the storm.

[CraigS]

Take care Carl.

Good Luck.

Cheers

[Liz]

take care Carl, it has certanly headed south a bit ... yikes.
I will head up to the hospital in a few hours, and stay for the duration.
See you on the other side. :question:

[CraigS]

Best wishes to you too, Liz.

And to everyone up there !

Cheers

[Lismore Bloke]

Good luck and keep safe Carl, moving away for a while is for the best. These systems are too unpredictable in their movements.

[astroron]

All the best Carl,Liz and everyone else up there, Look forward to hearing from you as soon as it is safe to do so :thumbsup:
Stay Safe.

[astroron]

Keep safe Warren, I hope all goes well for you:thumbsup:
Cheers

[jjjnettie]

Take care and stay safe.
We're thinking of you all constantly.

[supernova1965]

Wind starting to pick up in mackay and we aren't even going to get the worst of it hate to think of what is going on up the coast. We have had constant choppers comming down the coast since early this morning evactuations :question: from up north maybe

[renormalised]

You too Liz, this storm seems to be tracking south and with the winds it's generating we're going to be in quite a lot of trouble...it's officially topped 300km/hr and is still intensifying according to the reports.

Keep away from all windows and the corridors connecting the buildings (unless they're internal ones).

We'll get through this....may not be in one piece, but we'll get out the other side and soldier on.

[CraigS]

From the 9:00am radar readings, it looks like Cairns has higher winds than Townsville.

Flinders reef to the south of the trajectory line windspeed looks to be about double that of Bougainville reef to the north.

You may be right about it turning south, Carl.

LEAVE !!

Cheers