TC Yasi - OK, Now I'm a tad concerned

[bert56]

I can only wish everyone good luck. Stay as safe as possible. Just heard the police talking about 2metres above the highest possible tide in Cairns. It is best to move now if you are in this zone and not leave it to late.

Stay safe.

Bert

[richee]

All the best to everyone in NQ.

Richard

[tropicbird54]

Thanks for all the well wishes from swaggers all round the country.
Have lived in Cairns for 35 years, so experienced a few cyclones in that time, but I'm telling you, this one is really doing my head in!!
Usually I'm pretty laid back about them, but not this time - I'm feeling very freaked out.   I just can't get over the size of this thing!!!
Oh well,  we're as prepared as we can be, so will just have to sit it out for as long as it takes to blow over.
Good luck to everyone in the north.  Stay safe.
Sharyn    (Trying to keep a smile on my dial.)

[9775Andrew]

for those of you doing the runner in FNQ, don't overlook the forecast rainfall for the rest of the week. It may pose a problem inland and south!

Good luck which ever way you go.

We are staying in Townsville but think we'd be GONE if we were further north.

Safe travels everyone.


How's that FNQ swaggers gaterhing looking for this weekend?

[McGirr]

Imagine reading this its a Cat 5

SEVERE TC YASI IS A LARGE AND VERY POWERFUL TROPICAL CYCLONE AND POSES AN
EXTREMELY SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY WITHIN THE WARNING AREA,
ESPECIALLY BETWEEN PORT DOUGLAS AND TOWNSVILLE.

THIS IMPACT IS LIKELY TO BE MORE LIFE THREATENING THAN ANY EXPERIENCED DURING
RECENT GENERATIONS.

[Symon]

THIS IMPACT IS LIKELY TO BE MORE LIFE THREATENING THAN ANY EXPERIENCED DURING RECENT GENERATIONS.

I think they put that there to spell it out to people who are 'used to cyclones' that they haven't seen one like this before.  I was listening to ABC Radio and there was some silly old bag who lived in Ayr complaining that they they got all prepared for nothing since Anthony went further south than expected.  The presenter was trying to point out it is better to prepare and then have it pass elsewhere than to be hit and not prepared - but she didn't get it.

I wonder if she is prepared at the moment?

[jclures]

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi at 4:00 am EST:
.Centre located near...... 15.7 degrees South 151.7 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 20 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 30 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 295 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 5
.Central pressure......... 924 hectoPascals

That wind speed is not looking good, and now it is a cat 5.

[speewa158]

Heads down     Stay Safe where ever you are . Catch you on the other side

[Chris-Vi]

Just stay safe. I hope all those that have done a runner inland have gone far enough. The talk of it remaining a cyclone over land for a couple of days with all the rain is just mind blowing. Good Luck everyone. 

[Sharky]

BOM Radar is now tracking with Willis Island about to cop it.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR211.loop.shtml#skip

The radar makes it look a tad benign - the radar only shows rain and there's not a lot at the moment. But that rain is certainly moving fast around the eye! It really is a monstor storm.

Stay safe everyone!

[Sharky]

Another page showing the approaching storm.

This is the Willis island Met page - shows the rapidly increasing wind speed - 54 kts gusting to 72kts when the eye was more than 100km off the island at 6.30. Pressure rapidly dropping as well.

http://reg.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60701/IDQ60701.94299.shtml

[GU_Thomo]

I am in Sydney and I am getting freaked out by what I am hearing, reading and seeing on TV.
All of you in the path of this monster must be truly petrified.
Just make sure you stay SAFE.
All we can do is think of you.

Good luck
Parry

[camdyson]

x2. Good luck up there all you guys in the firing line - we're thinking of you.

Cam the Mexican

[Pauly]

Ive been following it here Shows it pretty well.

It certainly looks like its a dozzy.

For those who stay and sit it out how do you know your house will provide shelter in such high winds. Im not 100% but I think I would put the family in the car and go for a bit of a drive somewhere far away.

Good Luck FNQ

You Queenslander must have run over 3 chinamen, floods down south now a blow up north,

[alnjan]

It's getting closer

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/sohemiloops/shirgmscol.html

and stronger, now a Cat 5

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/TopStories/2011/02/02/Yasi_upgraded_to_category_five_storm_571845.html

[GGV8Cruza]

Winds are building on Willis Island, http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94299.shtml

To all anywhere near the path of this, keep your head down and stay safe

GG

[Karen]

Wind is getting a bit wild here in Mackay already.  Can't imagine how they are feeling even further north.

Take care everyone. 
Karen

[Bill]

Stay safe everyone.
We will see you when it is over...
Bill and Morag

[flamingoose]

Willis Island in the eye now  http://reg.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60701/IDQ60701.94299.shtml 100kn winds and now calm!

[GGV8Cruza]

Willis Island in the eye now  http://reg.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60701/IDQ60701.94299.shtml 100kn winds and now calm!

I was about to post the same, must be quiet and spooky at the moment, wait until it comes out the other side.

[tonym]

Thoughts with all our FNQ friends. Have family in Cairns who we understand are bunkered down.

Looks like Willis Island radar is gone, apparently staff had been evacuated.

Keep safe all.

[NewcastleKnight]

Heard that Willis Island Station is not transmitting data at present.

[Symon]

Yep, Willis Island isn't responding at the moment, so the BOM is running partially blind.

[shanegtr]

If yasi continues to intensify it's going to be more sevre than Vance, it's not far off it now. If I was living anywhere near the area I'd be jumping ship and getting out of there

[mark40]

We made it to Gladstone last night. I am so glad we changed our plans from going to Mt.Isa.  Thoughts go out to all who are still up there. Hope you all keep your heads down and please ,please, please STAY SAFE.