Cyclone Monica - Here we go AGAIN !

[gaa_ian]

Well, I didn't expect to be facing a cyclone so soon again after Larry !
But here I am back in Nhulunbuy, as Cyclone monica bears down on us.
With images & first hand accounts of Larry fresh in my mind I must admit to more than just a little trepidation :scared:

[matt]

All the best mate. Here's hoping it sheds most of its energy before it reaches you. Or better still, changes its path completely. What speed winds is it packing?

[gaa_ian]

235 km/hr ATM, but expected to be 250 Km/hr by tomorrow !

[RAJAH235]

:2thumbs: Ian... take care... :D L.

[Striker]

Look after yourself and the family Ian.

Can I make a recomendation...dont pull the scope out tonight....hehe

[Robby]

:sadeyes: Cat5...:windy: Holy crap! Batten down mate.
Being a bit of a weather nut I have been watching this one closely. It formed so quick out of nothing.
Take care out there!! :cloudy:
Cheers

[Mick]

Yes take care Ian...

[[1ponders]]

Hold on tight Ian and take care.

[gaa_ian]

Yep I have my spot in the corridor picked out & my camp matress ready to go.
Too dangerous to sleep near the windows with one this big !
Just having a breather from my last minute cyclone preps ATM

[Greg Bryant]

Ian,

Good luck! I visited Nhulunbuy in 1994 when I spent a week at the Bauxite mine / Alumina facility. There's some significant structures in place there!

[gaa_ian]

Greg, there is currently a $2 Billion expansion going on, so there is even more here now !

[gaa_ian]

I hope that our Seppo mates are on the money, this is how the US navy huricane warning center shows the cyclone moving :prey:
It is quite calm here ATM, I hope it stays that way, but I doubt it !
I am expecting gale force winds in the morning, for starters ...

[mattweather]

Take care mate, i am the weatherman who watches the weather pretty much though. Looks like Monica may reach 300km/hr winds and it could reach to darwin!!!!! I think you better get out of there because this cyclone is very dangerous one. Looks like much stronger than Larry to me but it still under strength to larry atm. Keep Safe!

Matt

[fringe_dweller]

yep take care Ian and family, that would be truly scary to experience -

but dont forget to take some piccies?? :ashamed: you could always crawl in the GSO for extra protection?? please just ignore me :P i am a bit silly after all

[Blue Skies]

Been thinking of you, Ian - what a nasty welcome home after NACAA! Here's hoping it loses some puff on your doorstep.

[gaa_ian]

Thanks Matt, Kearn & Blue Skies :)
Fortunately my family is still in Cairns ATM.
The Cyclone is now Cat 5 with winds to 290km/hr & this is the latest forcast track.
NOT happy Jan :help:
I have done everything that I can to secure the house & I have my safe spot picked out & my cyclone kit packed.
I have friends who have a less secure house coming over to stay the night.

[mattweather]

Now she 320km/hr winds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !11

Matt

[danielsun]

Thoughts are with you Ian. Hope you get through it o.k!

[gaa_ian]

Looks like we will be spared the worst of it, but it is still CLOSE !
Here is the 128km weather radar image at 11am CST.
We will still get 160km/hr gusts as it passes (hopefully) to the north of us.
If I let my inner child speak :P , its kind of like having a big monster passing by.
If we are real quite and dont attract its attention, perhaps it wont come & eat us :sadeyes: :scared:

[gaa_ian]

Monica is now 85km due north of us & The wind speed near the centre has reached an unbelievable 350km/hr !
It is blowing in excess of 100km/hr here & will continue for many hrs yet !
I hope that is it for the cyclone season now :rolleyes:

[jjjnettie]

All the best Ian.

[[1ponders]]

Take care mate and keep your head down.

[iceman]

Take care Ian, stay safe!

[gaa_ian]

Thanks Paul, Jeanette & Mike :thumbsup:
Thankfully the threat has passed now, although the weather is still pretty wild & wooley out there this morning.
I cannot remember a cyclone that had such a wide area of very destructive winds as Monica has ATM
We were so.. so lucky, I don't know how well many of the houses in town would have stood up to winds of 350km/hr.
That is getting up to the speeds of a tornado :eyepop:

[astroron]

I am glad your safe mate. I hope that it doesn't trash Darwin. Ron

[acropolite]

Our son is in the army in Darwin, he rang last night saying they were prepared to move in to the Laundry, the safest and most solid part of the unit they're in. Here's hoping it doesn't turn out to be another Tracy..

[Robby]

Take care up there... This looks like a nasty storm.
Saw this pic of the eyewall yesterday.. :eyepop: :scared:
http://realtime2.bsch.au.com/monica_eyewall2.jpg
Cheers

[gaa_ian]

That is an awesome picture Robby !
I am so glad it is past us, but I really feel for the people of Maningrida & Goldburn Island who are getting the full force of the 350km/hr winds as we speak.
I hope Darwin is well prepared, the only consolation for them is that it is expected to be ONLY Cat 3 when it reaches Darwin.