Queensland, Australia in the firing line again

**Lallans** · 2nd February 11, 08:48 AM

Australia making the Canadian national news, as I just observed, is starting to look like a bad thing. All best wishes for the folks down there.

**Mike_Oettle** · 2nd February 11, 10:35 AM

That cyclone is on our watch list, too, Mike. One can only guess at the damage it might do, and pray that family and friends will not be harmed by it.
I have a cousin in the Queensland outback.
Regards,
Mike

**chewse** · 2nd February 11, 10:49 AM

Batten Down The Hatches!! I experienced a category 5 typhoon while stationed with the US Navy on Guam in the mid-70's. Its quite a beating!

**Kevin80222** · 2nd February 11, 12:18 PM

Praying that all of our AU brothers, sisters, friends, and family safely weather this storm. Obviously Mother Nature knows not the tenacity and strength of our Southern brethren...

**Downunder Kilt** · 2nd February 11, 03:15 PM

Cyclone Yasi crossed the coast of northern Queensland about 1am this morning AEST. It was classed as a Cat 5 cyclone with winds up to 300kph.
The tidal surge that was expected to be up to 6 metres did not fully eventuate, so a lot of the predicted flooding did not occur. Winds did flatten and rip apart houses, crops etc and rain has been torrential, but there are no reports of casualties. At this time up to 200,000 houses are without power but telecommunications via mobiles (cells) appear to be working.

Although things are a mess, it appears that much less damage has occured than anticipated. The cyclone has moved inland some 300km and has been downgraded to a high Cat 2 cyclone.

**Danwell** · 2nd February 11, 07:24 PM

This is a picture of the actual size of the cyclone system superimposed on a same-scale map of the US

**ohiopiper** · 3rd February 11, 02:11 AM

Here's hoping that damage does not continue to accumulate due to flooding and winds.

As for that map, they sure grow 'em big south of The Line, don't they?

**Jock Scot** · 3rd February 11, 02:23 AM

With tongue placed firmly in my cheek:-

"Gosh that storm is even bigger than Texas!"

Jock now dives for cover.

**ohiopiper** · 3rd February 11, 03:03 AM

Apologies.

Post deleted by poster.

**cessna152towser** · 3rd February 11, 03:25 AM

Mod hat on:-
Please guys.
I know we are all feeling very much relieved this morning that the threat to our Australian members proved to be much less harmful than we had all feared 24 hours ago, and, yes the sense of relief may show as levity and humour, but let's not turn this into a thread of jokes against Texans or inhabitants of any other states or countries.