HI All,
TC Hamish has been upgraded to severe category 5 with destructive winds at its core of 295 kph. This looks like it is going to be another big one - especially for areas if and when it crosses the coast. Below is latest Bureau report on it (5:10am Sunday). best of luck to all those up in the effected areas.
Cheers,
GPM
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre
Media: Transmitters serving the area between the
Whitsunday Islands and
Shoalwater Bay are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before
broadcasting the following warning.
TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 19
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology,
Brisbane
Issued at 5:10am on Sunday the 8th of March 2009
A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal and island communities from
Bowen to
Bundaberg. A Cyclone WATCH is current for coastal and island communities from
Bundaberg to
Tewantin.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 5 CYCLONE, is located off the north
Queensland coast and at 4:00 am EST was estimated to be 145 kilometres northeast
of Hayman Is and 230 kilometres north northeast of Mackay, moving southeast at
17 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a very significant threat to coastal and
island communities between
Bowen and
Bundaberg. The cyclone is expected to
maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.
Damaging wind gusts are expected to affect coastal and island communities
between
Bowen and
Bundaberg during the next 24 hours.
Destructive winds are expected to affect exposed coastal and island communities
between the
Whitsunday Islands and
Yeppoon during the next 24 hours. However,
the very destructive core of Cyclone Hamish is no longer expected to impact on
the
Whitsunday Islands.
Damaging winds are not expected to develop about coastal and island communities
between
Bundaberg and
Tewantin during the next 24 hours, however they may
develop within 48 hours.
As the cyclone moves to the southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated
above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may
produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be
affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much
as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.
Areas of heavy rainfall may cause flooding in some coastal streams and rivers
between the
Whitsunday Islands and
Yeppoon during the next 24 hours.
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 4:00 am EST:
.Centre located near...... 19.2 degrees South 149.9 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 28 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the southeast at 17 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 295 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 5
.Central pressure......... 925 hectoPascals
People between
Bowen and
Bundaberg should immediately commence or continue
preparations, especially securing boats and property.
People between
Bundaberg and
Tewantin should consider what action they will need
to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to
be taken, information is available from your local government or local State
Emergency Service.
The next advice will be issued by 8:00 am EST Sunday 08 March.
This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's
website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State
Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly