Cyclone (Hurricane) YASI - North Queensland - Australia

[boxer_inv]

Hi there guys

Thought I'd just check in - haven't posted for ages.

I've just finished getting my preparations done for the massive cyclone which is about to hit our area.

Its a Category 5 cyclone - similar to Hurricane Katrina. We're expecting major damage as a result.

I've got my wife and 3 young boys at home, hoping to keep everyone safe.

Please think of this area over the next 24 hours - I don't expect to be able to update much as the power and communications will go down and stay out for a while.

Thanks and warmest regards to my P15-D24 kin

Rob McGuire

[aero3113]

Keep safe,please keep us posted if you can.

[randroid]

Rob,

First you had the major flooding that has pervaded international news, and now you're hogging a rare cat. five? Just how insecure are you, needing all that attention?

Okay, that was in poor taste and I hope was taken in the tongue-in-cheek manner in which it was intended. Not only are we of this forum keeping you in our hearts and prayers I believe I can speak for most of the world when I sincerely wish you and all your mates in the area get through this with minimal hardship.

Unless, of course, you play 'loose head prop', in which case you might not notice it.

-Randy

[Greenbomb]

All you guys are in our prayers. Let us know how you fare.

[boxer_inv]

Rob,

Unless, of course, you play 'loose head prop', in which case you might not notice it.

Used to play that position many, many, many years ago...!!

Yeah, we don't mind the limelight!

In reference to the flooding, as an Insurance Assessor I had actually travelled to one of the badly affected areas for work, and had to jump on a plane yesterday quick smart to get back here. Wife was fairly happy to see me!!

Its going downhill here now, lots of wind around and the news on the radio isn't good.

Not much else to do until the power goes out

[PatS....]

Rob, you and your family are in our thoughts for this...be safe!

I have relatives in Kurrimine Beach, just south of Cairns and directly in the path of this monster. It's predicted to be a cat 5 just like Katrina.

My relatives lost their house in Larry about 7 yrs ago and it was a cat 4. They rebuilt to withstand a cat 5 but they don't expect that there will be much left when they get back.

They expect winds of almost 300 k/hr

Google "Rowe Street, Kurrimine Beach, Australia" to see how close they are to the ocean and disaster.

Innisfail was virtually destroyed in Cyclone Larry

http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/cyclone-season-2010-2011/comparison.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/news/

Live TV News http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/

I won't complain about the snow and cold anymore.

Edited February 2, 2011 by PatS....

[boxer_inv]

Pat

I know Rowe street at Kurrimine Beach, did quite a few claims down that way after Larry. I hope they stay safe, but I know that there is a genuine feeling and fear that this really is 'the big one' that everyone hopes never happens.

I have my in-laws in Mission Beach - just south of Kurrimine. They've evacuated to a higher house as their place is right on the beach. They're fearful of losing it all but the time to prepare has passed, now time to batten the hatches.

We're now experiencing wind and rain - still a lot of time to go though.

Here is an interesting site to have a look at the satellite loops and pictures of the big storm:

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/

Use the MTSAT East links.

thanks for your thoughts all - will update in due course.

[jimainnj]

Rob I sure hope all is well, will be saying a prayer that you and family are ok

Jim A

[greg g]

Hope all remains well with you.

[boxer_inv]

Hi all

Just checking in to let you know that we're all okay here in Cairns. No power at the moment at my house, but have the camping gear out and all good with gas. I'm writing this by the kind temporary use of some generator power.

Pat - Kurrimine Beach copped a real hammering - I don't know whether you have been in contact with your relatives or not - might be worth checking up on them and their situation. (PM me with their details if you would like me to make some enquiries on your behalf - I expect to be travelling for work down that way over the very near future. Bear in mind it might take me a day or so to check back on my email again).

Thanks for your wishes - there has been a huge amount of damage to some smaller communities - almost wiped some off the map - Tully Heads, Cardwell, Hull Heads and Mission Beach all very badly damaged.

You'll well know that Queensland and Australia has had some bad natural disasters over the last couple of months - this is yet another to cope with. Down, but by no means out.

Kind regards

Rob - Cairns, OZ

[P-12 Tommy]

I just hope nobody was hurt!

Tom

[PatS....]

I have heard from my rellies in Kurrimine, and Babinda. The ones in Kurrimine were evacuated before the storm hit, spent the night in a shopping mall with the rest of the town, they are all OK. The roads were still impassable last I heard but they have been told their house and shed are fine.

The folks in Babinda spent the night at home and are fine as well.

Both had their homes destroyed in Cyclone Larry in '06.

Like everyone else, when they rebuilt, they rebuilt to Cyclone resistant standards.

They are crediting that with the fact that this storm didn't wreak near as much havoc as Larry or as much as it was predicted it would do.

Thanks for the offer, Rob. The Kurrimine folks are on Facebook when they can get to a computer. The Babinda folks are on when they have power. No phones yet, that may take a while...the cell towers that survived are without power as well and go out when the batteries die.

All in all, I think the preparation was top notch and saved many lives and lots of property. The crops are another story, though. You have to feel for the farmers in a bad weather event anywhere in the world...they really suffer.

Relatives Babinda Back Yard Before

and after (note the hill in the background)

[jpettittwo]

Hope you didn't get tore up to bad with that powerful cyclone. Our family went through that in 1992 with Hurricane Andrew. Our house was on the North wall. Makes you really realize the basics of life. Good luck John Pettit