Ita

[LG17]

To all our Far Northern members - stay safe!
She's a big one!
Hopefully the forecasters have it right and it crosses up near Cape Melville/Cape Flattery.

[mechanic]

You got that right. I'm sitting here in Cairns watching it all happen, not a breath of wind here yet.
Wouldn't like to have one of those nice expensive homes on the northern beaches, they're all just a few meters above sea level.

[Robos F6]

What time is she coming?

[LG17]

I think the latest report has it crossing around 8:00pm.

Mechanic - I lived in Cairns for 25 years, only left in December!
Picked a good time to leave

[Phil B]

Just spent the morning washing my coupe and putting it in my shed under its car cover.

Then spent about 10 minutes getting the rest of the house ready!

[zabatron]

good to see you have your priorities right Phil

[nstg8a]

Just said on the news that's it's slowing down, and now not expected to hit land until midnight.

Scary thing is, it's not getting weaker, just slower.

Edit, they just revised it again, 9-10 pm now

[pottery beige]

is she on TV??

[LG17]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

is she on TV??

Constantly!



It's slowed and now back to a 4 - now that's unusual because when they slow they usually gain in intensity.

[alan3103]

I am just to the south of cairns, in mount sheridan ,just had really heavy rain 5 mins ago,were all a bit worried atm , keeping up to date with oz cyclone chasers, latest i heard is that ITA is veering more southerly and Cairns might cop it big time? They have already suggested red and yellow zones in cairns to relocate to higher ground !!!

[LG17]

Originally Posted by alan3103

I am just to the south of cairns, in mount sheridan ,just had really heavy rain 5 mins ago,were all a bit worried atm , keeping up to date with oz cyclone chasers, latest i heard is that ITA is veering more southerly and Cairns might cop it big time? They have already suggested red and yellow zones in cairns to relocate to higher ground !!!

They always do that with those red zones!
They flood with a shower!!

[LG17]

It's crossed the coast up near Cape Flattery and is causing havoc.
Unconfirmed reports that the cyclone shelter in Cooktown is losing its roof.

[4stanger]

Isn't it a bit weird, to be copping a cyclone near the middle of April?

[Geez Louise]

Yep. They don't normally have them in April. I just read on news.com.au that the last time Cooktown was hit by a cyclone was 1949!

Let's hope there is not too much damage and that everyone stays safe and that there are no casualties.

Cheers
Col

[DJR David]

I'm in Mount Sheridan, Cairns. On and off very heavy rain. No real wind yet though here. Should pick up during the day tomorrow depending which way it tracks

[mechanic]

DJR David, same here in Edmonton. Won't be mowing the lawn today.

[2011G6E]

Cyclone season is until May, nothing unusual.
At the start of the season the weather bureau said that it was expected to be a "quiet" cyclone season this time, and they quickly added that "quiet" doesn't mean "none", it means the normal average of 3 or 4 cyclones crossing the coast...so it's actually been honestly quiet.

The media loves this stuff...already on Sunrise they're saying "Is worse yet to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????", because they love to push the global warming bullcrap...

it's Queensland...we get cyclones...that's life. i often wonder if they have ever been to north Queensland for any time, and seen how the locals treat cyclones? I used to spend nearly every school holidays there at my sisters place in Innisfail, and love the whole area up there. It freaks out non-locals that locals can be so casual (but constantly prepped) for cyclones...seeing a Category One as "just a bit of a blow", and a Category Two as "well, better tape up some windows and make sure we have some batteries for the radio and torches just in case". It's a whole other mentality up there compared to the rest of the state.

[DJR David]

The rain is hammering down now!!

[mechanic]

What is it they say in Babinda,
" We get 9 months of rain then we get the wet season ".

Worst part of all this is insurance companies keep increasing premiums even for houses built to Cat 5 spec. We're 34 meters above sea level and still have to pay a flood levy!

[LG17]

I hear you Mechanic!
I lived up the hill at Fairview and we had the same.
Some friends have sent me some happy snaps and there sure is a bit of water lying around - just like the wet season

[LG17]

I feel for you guys up there. This one's being a real pest!
Following the coastline down so it keeps its intensity and travelling very slowly so it isn't just over and done with.

[fordomatic]

Nothing more than a typical wet season downpoor here in Townsville, the media are going to town with it, driving me crazy. Sure there are people affected but it's nothing like they are saying

[mechanic]

Our rain gauge overflowed, 250mm. Cairns supposedly had 99mm. Doesn't seem right but it really came down here for a good considerable time.
I have a 40 mm overflow pipe in the pool but the rain overcame that and it ran over the edge.
No damage here in Edmonton, you can tell because the chainsaws didn't kick into action like they do when there's a bit of wind.

[LG17]

There's nothing like the sounds of chainsaws on the morning after!

[csv8]

Coming down in Rockhampton...3.47pm 13/04/13

[duaned]

How is it up there at this time?

[2011G6E]

Rained all night at Gracemere, then this morning and all the way out here to home non stop, still raining now.

And yes...I'm starting to suspect my theory is right that the extra weight from peoples damp feet makes them press harder on the accelerator in wet weather...the numpties were out in force today...