Cyclone Yasi....

[Mechan1k]

Hope everyone can get away at least ... or batten down really well.
We are prepping for it at work down here ... a lot of businesses have already shutdown and have been told to evacuate yesterday.

Fingers crossed it downgrades ... and doesn't actually have a direct hit to large built up areas.

[Smoke Pursuit]

I don't think some people realise how serious this.. Yet again people have been given warning but don't seem to be reacting?? If you look at it in comparison to Tracey now which killed 65 people I think we are all in for a rude shock tomorrow morning.

:(

[Mechan1k]

If I was living in/near that area ... I would have packed my most important things last night .... and got well out of town. No way I'd like to hang around for something like that.

[DJR-351]

It looks like they have lost the feed from Willis Island Radar....

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR413.loop.shtml

....last time we looked it was reading winds of 133kmh...

[prydey]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

I don't think some people realise how serious this.. Yet again people have been given warning but don't seem to be reacting?? If you look at it in comparison to Tracey now which killed 65 people I think we are all in for a rude shock tomorrow morning.

:(

aussies are known for the 'she'll be right mate' attitude, which is all well and good, but in these times, evacuating (running) shouldn't be looked at as a weakness! i hope no one tries to be a hero and 'tough' it out.

the comparison to other storm events (on page 2) shows just how big this event is.

[Spudz27]

As I said earlier stay safe. This kind of thing makes my problems insignificant in comparison. I hope no one is killed by this and that in the next 12hours by some miracle it weakens.

[Jim4850]

Originally Posted by prydey

aussies are known for the 'she'll be right mate' attitude, which is all well and good, but in these times, evacuating (running) shouldn't be looked at as a weakness! i hope no one tries to be a hero and 'tough' it out.

the comparison to other storm events (on page 2) shows just how big this event is.

A problem is that a laneway of road can only carry 1800 vehicles per hour, this of course can create quite a headache.

I suspect Cardwell has its name on this one, and I'm sure we will feel its wrath in Ingham too but my wife didn't want to move out so we're going to sit it out.

The wind is building up now after being quite calm until a couple of hours ago.

[dave289]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

I don't think some people realise how serious this.. Yet again people have been given warning but don't seem to be reacting?? If you look at it in comparison to Tracey now which killed 65 people I think we are all in for a rude shock tomorrow morning.

:(

Cyclone tracy was 48 km wide this is 500km wide ,so 10 times bigger. Another problem with cycone tracy is many residents had a warning about another cyclone that passed about a month before cyclone tracy, that cyclone passed darwin and they thought the same would happen with cyclone tracy so they did not take it that seroiuosly, and partied on at christmas partys on chrismas eve. cyclone tracy was the smallest cyclone evr recorder(mass size) up until 2008. I was 4 and a half years old when cyclone tracy struck darwin. I remember seeing the images of it clearly on the telly on chrismas day and thinking that these poor kids have lost all there presents that santa bought them. Even though I was very young I remember feeling sorry for these people and could not belive the damage caused.

[Spanrz]

After seeing what Hurricance Katrina did, this well could be the same.
The only difference between Katrina and Yasi, is the land design.
Louisiana, is basically dead flat for the best part of 100 kilometres inland. That's why it was so bad.

This will be interesting.
Innisfail looks like it will cop it bad probably be wiped off as it's close to the river/sea. But 20k's inland is a 1500m mountain. That whole area looks like it will be a big washing machine.
If I lived there, I'd be crapping myself now. I wouldn't hesitate to get out.

Going to be interesting how it stays in it's formidable force over these Mountains.

[Low006]

Well now ready and waiting. Already gusts of winds strong, inconsistant and we have about another 12 hours til the thing hits. Decided to put the Oz flag out the front. Already a good indicator of the wind gusts.

[Sam_Boss260]

Originally Posted by Jim4850

A problem is that a laneway of road can only carry 1800 vehicles per hour, this of course can create quite a headache.

I suspect Cardwell has its name on this one, and I'm sure we will feel its wrath in Ingham too but my wife didn't want to move out so we're going to sit it out.

The wind is building up now after being quite calm until a couple of hours ago.

Good luck Jim. I have alot in relatives in Ingham, and I think a few have moved to Townsville, which may still cop it.

I hope you are safe, and let us know how Ingham fairs in the next 24 hours.

[MAGPIE]

Good Luck to all in the path of this monster, one saving grace is at least there has been plenty of warning.

[FTe342]

I was in Darwin when Cyclone Tracey went thru & was 21 at the time. If I was anywhere in FNQ above Rockie I would be at least 2 hrs inland by now after seeing what a cyclone of this category can do.
I saw a car in Darwin in a bank carpark with a sheet of galvanised iron horizontally thru the drivers door (not the window) that cut the drivers seat in half and stopped when it hit the gearbox. And we weren't where the eye of the storm passed over. Out in the suburbs Railway line type telegraph poles bent over 1 metre above the ground at right angles.

Of course the extent of damage depends on the path of the centre and where you are in relationship to it and the integrity of the buildings around. Once one fails and the debris starts hitting other buildings its a domino effect. But its not just buildings. Trees can be pulled out and when thrown at 300kph it doesn't matter what they hit, its going to cause massive damage. We had a row of large 10 - 15m high palms outside our building. As the lightning flashed, it was the only time you could see because of blackout, there were less & less of them till they were all gone. They didn't just blow over, they were gone!

Hopefully the major damage is not thru a town but its going to be a very traumatic experience for those that have stayed. The sound of the wind still haunts me.

Watching the telly, I don't think enough relevance has been put on how the wind direction progressively changes. People need to be aware of that so that if need be they reposition themselves in the building as conditions change. No good being in the bathroom/toilet if those rooms are on the windward side of the house and debris is punching thru the walls

[vibe_xr6]

this is shocking, i feel so bad and help less for you guys, they are saying this is going to be thhe worst natural disaster ever in the history in this country, i hope all you guys and your family's stay safe and be smart about it all, they are already saying people are going to die, now thats bad, it hasnt even hit yet.
i hate being down here, id rather be up there helping you guys out, stay safe

[flappist]

Originally Posted by dave289

Cyclone tracy was 48 km wide this is 500km wide ,so 10 times bigger. Another problem with cycone tracy is many residents had a warning about another cyclone that passed about a month before cyclone tracy, that cyclone passed darwin and they thought the same would happen with cyclone tracy so they did not take it that seroiuosly, and partied on at christmas partys on chrismas eve. cyclone tracy was the smallest cyclone evr recorder(mass size) up until 2008. I was 4 and a half years old when cyclone tracy struck darwin. I remember seeing the images of it clearly on the telly on chrismas day and thinking that these poor kids have lost all there presents that santa bought them. Even though I was very young I remember feeling sorry for these people and could not belive the damage caused.

Just to make it even more scary.

If Tracy was 50 km wide and Yasi is 500km wide it is 100 tmes larger that is, you could fit 100 Tracys in one Yasi.

But that is just area, there is altitude and pressure as well...

2011 is not starting off well.

[Bucknaked]

Upto 320 kph expected. Armageddon is coming.

This is going to be huge and terrifying. My thoughts are with you all. Please stay safe.

[blueoval]

I feel so helpless see what coming destruction people will be facing. I would be getting the F outta Dodge if it were me.

[Spanrz]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Upto 320 kph expected. Armageddon is coming.

This is going to be huge and terrifying. My thoughts are with you all. Please stay safe.

^^^ Exactly my sentiments. My reli's are in Yeppoon, just safe enough away. But they copped the floods and may cop the floods again.??

[Jim4850]

Originally Posted by Sam_Boss260

Good luck Jim. I have alot in relatives in Ingham, and I think a few have moved to Townsville, which may still cop it.

I hope you are safe, and let us know how Ingham fairs in the next 24 hours.

I keep a bit of a webcam that I hope to be able to keep running, try it here if you've a curious bent, not much to see yet though.
http://221.121.146.78/

[Robos F6]

Originally Posted by Jim4850

I keep a bit of a webcam that I hope to be able to keep running, try it here if you've a curious bent, not much to see yet though.
http://221.121.146.78/

It says zero rain but the road looks wet?

[blueoval]

According to The Australian news, Suncorp Insurance has capped potential claims for damages due to the Cyclone at 10m only. If my calculations are correct, that won't cover squat. Basically, from what I can understand, they don't have the funds to cover both the recent Brisbane floods crisis AND FNQ claims.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busi...-1225998672209

[Professor Farnsworth]

it may be best for people to not speculate too much, inserting doomsday references etc and make those in the area even more paranoid. Just stick to factual reporting and well wishes.

[Jimmyd]

Lockdown time guys & girls, hang on tight and see you all post Yasi





Cheers

James

[dave289]

My neighbour was over last night and talking to her son on the phone who is in cairns and was planning to stay there. I just phoned her and said maybe he should think about getting out of there. she said there were no more flights out, so I said he should be heading south on the next train available.

[Auslandau]

Best of luck! That is one hell of a storm ...... ! Amazing state of affairs up there.

[Spanrz]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/caillins13

Some guy in Townsville

[gunner]

Originally Posted by blueoval

According to The Australian news, Suncorp Insurance has capped potential claims for damages due to the Cyclone at 10m only. If my calculations are correct, that won't cover squat. Basically, from what I can understand, they don't have the funds to cover both the recent Brisbane floods crisis AND FNQ claims.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busi...-1225998672209

The article is saying that Suncorp has insurance on their insurance. So if Suncorp has to pay less than $10 million it's on them. If they have to pay more than $10 million then Suncorp's own insurance will pay everything above the $10 million.

[TZENU]

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/y...er-radar/16131

Stay safe all!!

[FTe342]

Originally Posted by dave289

My neighbour was over last night and talking to her son on the phone who is in cairns and was planning to stay there. I just phoned her and said maybe he should think about getting out of there. she said there were no more flights out, so I said he should be heading south on the next train available.

WTF! Why would you head sth of Cairns when Cairns is nth of the expected landfall of the cyclone. He should have headed inland or nth but its too late now. Any train service would have been cancelled same as the planes

[Lotte]

Just got an email from mum (we're all in vic), that my Uncle who lievs in Atherton has decided to stay and weather it out. Not to sure about the geogrpahy in north QLD, but Mum's pretty sure Atherton is fair smack on Yasi's path. Anyone up there know any better (hoping for better news than what I've been told).

Good luck guys, I have no idea what to say, as I've never had to deal with ANYTHING like this in my life. I'll be having a sleepless night and thinking of everyone up there.