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On the morning of February 2nd 2011 authorities upgraded Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi to a Category 5 storm. It was described as a severe threat to life and property and more life threatening than any event experienced in recent generations. This system was 600 km in diameter and the eye of the storm was 35 kilometers. It was forecast to hit the north coast of Queensland, Australia between Cairns and Cardwell at midnight on February 3rd 2011. It was compared in size to Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans in August 2005. Everyone had been watching Cyclone Yasi approach the North Queensland coast for days since the system formed over near Fiji. It had tracking south to south-west and the model suggested that it was heading towards Cairns and Innisfail. The public were told to expect:
* Winds up to three hundred kilometers per hour.
* Airborne debris.
* Deafening noise.
* Torrential rain and flooding.
* Road closures.
* High seas and dangerous swells with three to five meter storm surges.
* Loss of power to two hundred thousand people.
* Loss of telecommunications. Storm surges are dangerous tsunami-like, fast-moving waters which are certain to inundate low-lying areas. The level of the water rises within the low pressure area in the eye of the cyclone and this is pushed forward by the storm. Unfortunately this storm surge was due to coincide with the high tide as Yasi crossed the coast. Authorities also predicted that this storm surge would be higher at the southern side of where the cyclone would meet the mainland. Thirty thousand people had been urged and some ordered to evacuate to eleven nominated evacuation centers in the area in the path of the storm. Two hundred and fifty intensive care patients in the area were evacuated to Brisbane hospitals 1500 kilometers to the south. This was the largest hospital evacuation ever to take place in Australia. Two hundred thousand text messages alerts were sent to people in the danger areas. The warnings or advice given to those residents who insisted on staying at their residence throughout the storm were to prepare for the cyclone with the following advice:
* Gather in the smallest room in the house. The bathroom is normally considered the safest and strongest part of the house.
* Gather mattresses and use for shelter in case the roof is blown off.
* Once the storm hits, stay put as it is impossible for emergency service personnel to respond until after the event.
* Store water and fill the bath full of water for drinking water. Have purification tablets handy.
* Tape all windows to strengthen and reduce the risk of breakage.
* Ensure adequate tin food and water supplies for up to a week.
* Ensure enough cash for food and petrol.
* Ensure the operation of torches, radio and batteries.
* Wear covered shoes to protect the feet from any instance of broken glass and other sharp objects.
* Wear warm clothes and keep rain coats handy.
* Ensure there is something to urinate into such as a portable potty.
* Disconnect and unplug all gas, water and electrical equipment and appliances.
* Clean the surrounding yard to ensure there are no potential missiles.
* Stay calm and sober. People will be then more likely to make good decisions if the need arises.
* Mentally prepare children for what is ahead.
* As the eye of the cyclone passes over, be careful not to think that the cyclone has passed.
* Release the pressure within homes by opening windows on the opposite side to the way the wind is blowing.
* Expect the wind to come from a different direction once the eye passes. As it turned out, the communities of Mission Beach, Tully, Tully Heads, Cardwell and Innisfail, about 160 km south of Cairns, bore the brunt of the storm. There was extensive damage to hundreds of buildings with roofs torn off and power poles knocked over. Banana and sugar cane crops were all but wiped out. The Prime Minister of Australia Ms Julia Gillard described the cyclone as the worst cyclone to hit Australia. There was one known death from the storm. A man died from asphyxiation from the exhaust fumes from a generator he was running inside a closed room. The fact that the death toll was not higher as a consequence of the 'worst cyclone to hit Australia' is a great testament to the sensibility of the residents of North East Queensland. They obviously listened to the warnings and cooperated with authorities. You are welcome to visit other articles of interest at Church Buildings For Sale, Commercial Buildings For Sale and Abandoned Buildings For Sale.
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Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Category 5 cyclone, largest cyclone, most powerful cyclone, cyclone yasi,
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