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.

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

We have the monsoonal rains in Cairns right now.

Hamish is a nice name for a cyclone.

He's named after his grandad.

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.

Was he full of wind too?!

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.

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 .

WW

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.

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

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

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.

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.

should we be panicing in Yeppoon yet Polly?

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