Pollyana

Tropical Cyclone Ellie, likely to come ashore tomorrow morning around Cardwell/Lucinda as a Cat 1.
Heavy rain expected as far south as Mackay.

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TROPICAL CYCLONE ELLIE, CATEGORY 1, with gusts up to 100 km/h may be close to the coast on Monday morning.

STRONG GALES may develop on the coast during this evening between Cairns and Ayr.

Higher than normal tides are expected, but the sea level should not exceed the highest tide of the year. Large waves are likely along the beachfront.

Flooding is likely to continue in the warning area due to heavy rain.

People between Cairns and Ayr should take precautions and listen to the next advice at 1pm. If you are unsure about precautions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

wardy2

winds are definitely picking up a lot here, hope everything will be ok

dickchap

We live in Mackay and it has been lashing down since yesterday morning and the wind is picking up. Apparently they had server flooding last year!

LINZI

The Rain has not stopped has it Lets hope it does not happen again like this time last year

Lindzi

Rabc

It' been a while - at least it's not a proper one

Gusts to 100Kph are little more than a moderate UK January storm although things have been a bit soggy up here of late and most of the power is above ground. This could cause some problems later tomorrow.

Great to see panic buying today - Cyclone Ellie, proudly sponsored by Heinz and Andrex

Looks like the "It'll be right" approach to risk management might have taken a dent for once. (didn't with Dengue) If nothing else it's a good rehersal in case we get the real thing.

Pollyana

Yep, bit like a rehearsal isn't it! Gives us all something to get excited about for a few days

Pollyana

Several reports of flooding/need fo sandbags coming in from around Mackay.

IF YOU NEED THE SES CALL 132500

IF IT IS LIFE THREATENING CALL 000

SES can help out with sandbagging and tarping roofs.

jimtrish

Hi Rob

We went into woollies and the queues were mad I am still wondering if schools will be open tomorrow...
Hope you keep safe and well

Trish

Pollyana

We (State Coordination Centre) haven't got anything on schools yet, probably depend on how much rain falls overnight. Ellie has slowed down and now isn't predicted to cross till late afternoon.
Anyone in Mackay calling the SES out - please be patient, we have as many people out as possible but the calls are coming in at a great rate. If it is SERIOUSLY urgent please make sure you say so when you ring, and if you have special needs - young babies, medical etc make sure that gets noted.

Rabc

Hi Trish,

Schools tend to close when there is a cyclone watch/warning in force. BOM are suggesting that it will make landfall tomorrow during the day which will mean they will be closed. However, the actual situation is not quite as simple, given current conditions out in the Coral sea it is likely to arrive a lot sooner. Very soon after that the watch/warning will be cancelled and with it the kids day off

The best thing to do is listen to 4TO - 102.3FM in he morning as they will have the up to date information.

Look after yourselves

Rob

jimtrish

Thanks Rob,

will listen in as hotfm just don't tend to give out that info.
The update on BOM suggests that it could be morning rather than afternoon that it makes landfall..somewhere between Cardwell and Ingham.
Trouble is, these buggers are so unpredictable aren't they.
Good to hear from you, take care on the beach

Trish

The Bloke

Not really, with computer modelling, they (BOM) have been pretty accurate in their recent tracking predictions.

jimtrish

Im just saying what the meteorologists have said, although they can predict the track it may go, they may not always get it right. Certainly in previous ones the cyclones have almost turned on themselves and not gone on the predicted path at all...thats nature for ya

Pollyana

This one is fascinating, I must admit, got the Bureau on their toes I think. Every teleconference we had today the track had changed, often not by a lot but enough to be significant. At one point the Bureau were saying she might turn and never make the coast, and the latest map has her coming in at Cardwell and out again at Ingham not long after. Oh for a predictable one like Larry that sets a straight track and sticks to it

Pollyana

Bit wet in Ingham now Ellie has gone over
http://inghamcam.info/
and more here -
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/g...-17382,00.html