Coastal Qld-Cairns-Sunshine Coast-Brisbane - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, 10:57pm Thursday the 5th of March 2009
A Cyclone WATCH current for coastal and island communities from Cape Melville to Bowen.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a category 1 cyclone, has formed in the northwestern Coral Sea and at 10:00 pm EST was estimated to be 380 kilometres east of Lockhart River and 415 kilometres north northeast of Cairns, moving south southwest at 8 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish is expected to continue to move south roughly parallel to the north tropical coast while deepening. Damaging wind gusts are not expected to affect coastal or island communities within 24 hours, however they may develop within 24 to 48 hours.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

It's now a category 2 and expected to reach 3 this afternoon.

We have the monsoonal rains in Cairns right now.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Hamish is a nice name for a cyclone.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

He's named after his grandad.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

TC Hamish is expected to become a Cat 3 tomorrow morning on will gradually track in closer to the coast. Expected to come ashore around the Mackay area if he makes land, bringing extremely heavy rain and very high tides as well as strong winds.
If he doesn't comes ashore he will probably bring very string winds/heavy rain right down the coast.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Was he full of wind too?!

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Comparing the radar and the predicted track, Hamish seems further west than the prediction. I think the track will be updated at 5pm, but it looks like it's coming closer to Cairns than the prediction.

No matter what, there's going to be a shedload of rain.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

I'll do my bit to lower the dam by washing the cars, continually watering the lawn, washing down the paving, taking reeeeaaaaaaalllllllllyy long showers, etc .:rofl::rofl:

WW

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Angie here (framacs misses) i am sick to the pit of my stomach just to let any or everyone know..... this is sooooo scary been through to much can't take anymore.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Angie, We are in Mackay. Why are you sick to your stomach? We haven't experienced a cyclone before. What can we expect? :confused:
Nikki

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

We had 3 to 4 feet of water through the house during floods so dont want anymore cause we are in process of selling up

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

You guys really have the sympathy of everyone on here. There's a limit to what you can take so I sincerely hope your house stays dry and a buyer turns up so you can get on with your lives.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Oh yes. Sorry I heard about the floods of last year. I also remember reading that you were returning to the UK. So are we in May. Lets hope we all stay safe and dry. :(

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

should we be panicing in Yeppoon yet Polly?

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

The current forecast track would be a cause for concern as it forecast as a 4 (Larry was also a 4 for comparision ). http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

Make preparations now by removing or tying down anything outside that can become a missile.

Your phone book should have cyclone instructions or check online at www.emergency.qld.gov.au.

You could loose power (dont buy frozen food). Flood waters may also affect the delivery of food & fuel.


Good luck

WW

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Good luck you guys - let us hope that Hamish decides he doesnt want to come and stay but meanwhile hunker down and stay safe!

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Cheers Quoll. Thats the rain starting to get heavier. I'm hoping with the dry spell we had there for a week, the ground will be able to soak most of it up. Who am I kidding.:ohmy:

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

I'd echo that - unfortunately I'm a bit out of touch on this one as I'm not back in Aus till Wednesday, so I'm only getting the info from work second hand. Check the advice on our website (see WanderingWombats link above) for how to prepare.

The 8am advice from the Bureau expects it to keep deepening as it moves
Currently a category 3 cyclone, located in the northwestern Coral Sea and at 7:00 am EST was estimated to be 230 kilometres east of Cairns and 310 kilometres north northeast of Townsville, moving south southeast at 17 kilometres per hour. Expected to continue moving south southeast
parallel to the coast while deepening.
Damaging wind gusts may affect coastal and island communities between Innisfail and St Lawrence during the next 24 hours.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may develop about coastal and island communities between Ayr and Proserpine [including the Whitsunday islands] early on Sunday morning, and extend south to St Lawrence during the day.

Damaging wind gusts may develop about coastal and island communities between St Lawrence and Hervey Bay [including Heron Island and the Bunker Group] within 24
to 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves southward and deepens, sea levels are expected to be
elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall may cause stream rises and possible flooding between
Townsville and Mackay during the next 24 hours.

People between Innisfail and St Lawrence should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between St Lawrence and Hervey Bay should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

The next advice will be issued by 11:00 am EST Saturday 07 March.

IF YOU ARE AFFECTED BY THE CYCLONE AND YOU NEED HELP - sandbags, tarpaulins, rescue, anything like that, ring 132500 for the SES. They WILL be busy and you may have to hold but the call centres will be putting on more staff. Write the number down NOW so you have it if you need it.
If the situation is life-hreatening, ring 000.

http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/cyclone/

Further reading -
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363895 - Bix's story of Cyclone Larry from 3 years ago.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

I thought of you guys the moment they mentioned Mackay. Everything crossed for you and lots of prayers being said.

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

I've changed the thread title to reflect the track which is likely to bring the cyclone a long way down the coast in some shape or form.

www.disaster.qld.gov.au is another site for info and preparations.

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Gee Polly arent you glad you are still on holiday for a few days? Looks like the rain is ripping into McKay right now.

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Cheers Polly. The rain has eased for a bit but the garage room has copped it. If thats all, I can accept that. Its a concrete floor so heres hoping.:thumbup:

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Are you guys down below the Shell garage on the highway Windmill Cres way?

I was down that way a few weeks ago and was surprised that any council would allow an estate to be developed on such low lying land.

Good luck

WW

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Thinking of you and your family and praying everything is OK.:o

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

No ww and thank god. They even had a pole with the wording, road prone to flooding and what do they build, low lying bungalows. I watched them being built and still wonder at the sheer stupidity. Our is more a problem with drains not taking the water away fast enough.:confused:

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

hope you are ok wondering if cairns is going to see anything I can see the clouds coming over the hills which so far for us is a sure sign that the rain is coming as we speak the rain just starting.

good luck hope everyone stays safe down in Mackay and up hereif it hits.

x

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Cheers Wardy. The rain has come on again but no flooding after the first downpour. Been in garage room emptying water out the window. I'm just hoping and today was our open-house viewing. Sods law.:thumbdown:

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

I'm sure it was the water feature that clinched the sales in that estate more so than Maccas being around the corner.

It's funny how you dont usually find that type of water feature on the top of a hill:D

WW

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Panicing is the last thing you need to be doing.

Secure your property as best you can: Secure objects that you cannot bring inside firmly Those that you can do so. Tape windows with a removable masking tape to prevent flying glass if they get broken by airbourne debris. If you have a big double garage door back you car and anything else you have right upto it. If you car stays outside park it as close to the door as possible. These doors are the weakest part of modern houses and do untold damage if they come off.

When securing things outside remember the wind will make a 180 degree shift in direction at some point.

Ensure NOW that you have enough non perishible food and water for a few days. Remember toilet rolls and a method of cooking/heating food -BBQ. On the way back from the shops make sure you get cash and fuel. If the power fails you need to be able to pay for things and get there to buy them.

Oh don't forget pets and their food and for gods sake don't tie them up and leave them behind or set them free - you see this a lot

Check out EMQs/Local Council website for full details of what to include in your cyclone kit.

Gather your important docs togther and be prepared to leave quickly or identify a safe area in your house. Stock it with pillows/blankets and at least 1 matress for protection if the worst happens and your roof goes walkabout.

Plan all this out in your mind as well as the best evacuation route. One of the problems here in NQ is the authorities are very relunctant to evacuate early but this can mean that routes are already blocked when you have to actually make the move.

Make sure you have battery powered lighting (min 2 - for the family and one to take to the loo!) and a radio and you phone/laptop is charged.

Work out with your family where you will go in the event of a hit or your house breaking up or what you route will be if you have to leave quickly. Make sure everything you need is in one place.

Scarey stuff but I can tell you that Cat 4 systems don't play games and you HAVE to prepare your family for the worst - even if the risk is less than 100%

Your area currently has a very good chance of some distructive weather tomorrow.

Make you preparations now. Later may well be too late

Things I have assumbled include:

Enough food for 3 days per person
Enough water for 3 days + a water filter (pool water can be made drinkable)
Plenty of batteries
A radio
3 battery lanterns
12 loo rolls
Pain killers (any other medication you need)
Petrol
Cash
Paper towels
First aid kit
Long life milk
leather gloves/wet weather gear and study boots
All certs/insurances/passports/birth certs etc one box
All photos and data in one box
A video of the who house inside and out for possible insurance claim
Rope/tarps etc
Pet food
Charge everthing up ready

Most importantly check track maps and advice from TV/Radio/Internet and make sure you are well informed and on top of what might come next.

Just a few things and by no means a full list but PLEASE prepare for your and other's sake.

Don't take risks, let others do that and above all be calm, focussed and informed - and stay safe.

Rob (been there, done it and got the tee shirt)

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Operational work = money = Development approval

Sad, stupid but true

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

IMPORTANT
If eye of the cyclone goes overhead and the wind suddenly eases DO NOT go out to have a look as the wind will change direction quickly.

That's when people get killed by the debris flying the other way. Stay in until the all clear is given - that's what the battery radio is for.
Watch out for fallen power lines. Three days after Larry we still had no power which was not a lot of fun.

If the damage is bad you may be without power for a while so the gen sets sell quickly. Be assured Bunnings will get pallet loads of cheapies in quickly. 20 litre fuel tins will be a must and long power cords.

WW

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

We lived on the top of a hill in the UK (do here as well but that's by the by). Anyway we had water coming out of a crack in the middle of the road one dry summer. Rang the water board and they told me it was the water table. I explained that if that were true the houses two doors down and all the rest even further down would be underwater. She didn't understand, even when I said it hadn't rained for weeks and there was nowhere any further up hill for it to have come down from. I left a long silence and then asked for her to send someone out. They mended the leak :D

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

My poor husband leaves in the morning for Townsville - he is putting in footings at mackay, townsville x 2 and airlie beach.

Looks like hes in for another wet week - he was caught working out in the last cyclone/heavy weather in Mackay and also at Townsville plus was on a roof when things hit innisfail. I think hes a bad luck charm.

Lets all hope it eases up, if in fact it has come in

Viv

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

From Press Release issued by Mayor of Mackay Sat evening.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish is not expected to cross the coast in our area, however, a slight storm surge is possible when combined with heavy rainfall and tomorrow’s 9am high tide.
Early tomorrow morning, winds associated with Cyclone Hamish – now a category four cyclone – are expected to be about 150 kilometres per hour in the Mackay/Sarina area.
Cyclone Hamish continues to travel at 19 kilometres per hour south-south east parallel to the coast producing potentially destructive winds in the area.
As a precaution, residents in low-lying areas of Mackay and Sarina should prepare for possible inundation and spend the night at a friend’s home outside the purple zone.
Those in the purple zone include Midge Point, Repulse Bay, parts of Seaforth, Cremorne, Eimeo, East and South Mackay, McEwens Beach, Louisa Creek and Armstrong Beach; residents in these areas should take necessary precautions.

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Good advice - I noticed that Bunnings had a wall full of small gen sets today :lol:

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

And chainsaws?

That'll create work for the medical profession.

WW

Re: Far North & Northern Qld - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Ha! Funny you should say that, my husband sliced through his knee after Cyclone Larry! He didn't have much excuse either as at that point he was in business doing tree lopping and garden clearance and so should have been a tad more careful!

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

I have just been watching the preparations on the tv - unreal. Thinking of you all living up there - I have no idea how he will be doing all of this work - especially the airlie beach stuff.

there is no chance we will be allowed to delay this work though so I have no idea how it will all work out.

interesting stuff - interesting not being the right word if your home is there, but from a visitor perspective

Vivienne

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Hamish is now a Category 5 cyclone which is serious stuff.

Hopefully it will stay out to sea and not cross the coast.

You can clearly see the eye in this satelite photo http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc-bin/tc...km_bw&PROD=geo

WW

Re: Coastal Qld - Cairns to Sunshine Coast - Tropical Cyclone Hamish
 

Im getting really worried looks like it could hit round here, hopefully will be able to get supplies from bunnings tommorow.