The rules for cyclones I was told by the locals was
1 , 2 party
3 stay home
4 , 5 head for the hills (Tablelands)

Larry rewrote the rules when it screamed through the Atherton Tablelands, definitely not the place to be in a car with stressed children.

Home for most people is the safest place to be, unless home is a caravan, metal shed or partially built/poorly maintained structure.

WW

I hadnt been taking a lot of notice, I guess you hear so many cyclones starting ...... However this one looks like its a category 5 heading south.

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

I wake up this morning and read that Cyclone Hamish is now a Cat.5, you cant get any higher! My dh is working on a mine site about 95km inland from Mackay. He is due to fly back home to the Gold Coast Monday night but that wont happen if the creeks between where he is and Mackay flood and prevent him getting to the Mackay airport. And Im guessing the airport may even be closed depending on what path the cyclone takes? Or will the airport be closed from now until the cyclone is well and truly south of Mackay???.....anyone know??

Oh heck, I hate this. I just want him back home with us....NOW.

Keep checking the airport website, it should update you on cancelled flights etc . As far as I can see this cyclone is still off the coast, maybe he could leave work early and get out before anything happens. I know cyclones change direction/speed etc all the time, probably as yet they can only take an educated guess what might happen by monday night, it might fizzle out and be nothing yet. Check the bom website too, ( as above ) .

We delayed the trip, just by a day to see how it all turns out.

good luck every body!
Vivienne

They are forecasting a Cat 4 off Gladstone with the cyclone watch area now extending to Tewantin.

Jim Andrews of accuweather.com on 5 March (probably 6 March local time)forecast Hamish could extend as far down as the Gold Coast. Given the forecast intensity of Hamish at Gladstone and the offshore location, there is a chance it could happen. Those who have seen the old photos of Cleveland Point being awash with sea water due to a cyclone gives added cause for concern. Now there's some food for thought

For the doubters, have a look at the 1954 entry http://www.windworker.com.au/qldcyclones.htm

The greater BrisVegas driving around in panic mode?? What better reason to stay indoors.

WW

At present the Mackay airport is closed for all operations so I will keep an eye on that and hope dh can fly out Monday night or at least Tues morning. Its all a 'wait and see what happens' thing though isnt it?

We are moving house on Thur. and dh and I had planned to work our butts off Tues and Wed. organising the move, but if dh's flight is delayed then that will leave me with all the packing and last minute stuff!

I just hope this cyclone stays out to sea and gradually disappears. These things are sent to test us arent they?

Every year they warn SE qld will get a cyclone 'this year' , maybe they are finally correct

Seen plenty of pics of brisbane flooded in photographic exhibitions etc, no doubt it happens

That bom tracker still has it as cat 5, and not crossing land, who knows

Have a look at what Cyclone Tracey did in 74. We had just returned from the UK and my parents lived in the Kimberly and we had to get special permits to fly through Darwin.

There was nothing left.

http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/tracy/adv...Met/index.html

Nasty piece of work this one, and there is a strong possibility that it will come down as far as Brisbane, and maybe the Gold Coast, though they can't predict the strength at present by the time it gets that far south. Hopefully the cooler watrs will help to dull its energy.
I'd advise anyone along the Qld Coast to keep a close eye on it. Predicted to be around Brisbane Wednesday morning at its current speed, but that can change.
Now let me think.....when am I due to land back in Bne from the UK........Wednes morning

No way of predicting when Mackay airport will open again. It will depend on any damage caused as well as weather conditions, plus if there is a lot of damage to the surrounding city and district the airport will not take civilian flights straight away. Also the weather between Macky and the Gold Coast will affect flight timings.

oh no!

In between cyclones give us all a UK update wont you. UK shops - drooling now

Says on the Nasa site that the cyclone will join land north of Brisbane on the 9th. Who knows these things change by the hour.

UK shops....ah paradise - I've bought a years worth of chocolate, books, multi-coloured stationery, underwear and jeans! Pure heaven! I've had snow, hail, rain, fog, and brilliant warm sunshine, been on the beach and up the Welsh mountains, been in pubs and restaurants and had a thoroughly fab time! EVen after five and a half years, I still feel more at home on the UK side of the world

Definitely needs an eye kept on it - as it hits cooler water the speed of travel can change as well as the depth of the cyclone/category. ALso the islands will have an effect on it.
It will still be a long way north of Brisbane on Monday - currently expected to be around Gladstone
I'm going to put a bet on Bne airport being closed on Wednesday ......

Then you wont have to get out at Eagle Junction and walk to Kedron...

WW