Cyclone on Queensland coast

by Queensland News on 20 Mar 2006 The very destructive core of severe tropical cyclone Larry with extreme gusts predicted up to 140 knots was predicted to cross the coast near Innisfail between 7am and 9am this morning. At 6am winds on the Innisfail coast were gusting to sixty knots, however 20 miles to the south winds reach almost 100 knots.

Coastal residents between Cairns and Cardwell have been warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to steadily rise up to a level which will be significantly above the normal tide, with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas extending some way inland. People living in areas should be prepared to evacuate if advised by authorities.

Hundreds of people have been moved from coastal areas, airports and ports have been closed and there have been power blackouts in a number of areas.
The Cyclone Warning Centre's Mike Bergin said tides would be high as the system moved across the coast.

‘Tides are, fortunately, they are neap tides today so we do have a little bit in our favour there but near the centre we will still see the tides go well above the highest tide of the year,’ he said.

Mike Bergin says several hundred kilometres of the far north coast will be affected.

‘It's the next four or five hours that will be the worst. Our warning system is predicated on winds of gale force intensity not on where the centre will cross, so the impact of it will be felt further to the north,’ he said.
‘Cairns for example will see westerly winds through the area today and from the Tablelands coming down to the coast and in the past those situations have produced their own set of problems.’

South Johnstone weather station near the mouth of the Johnstone river, between Innisfail and Cardwell may have experienced the strongest winds. Gusts of 98 and 99 knots between 6:30am and 7am local time.

Further south winds do not seem to be as strong as was expected, Townsville was experiencing gusts to 35 knots at 0700 and Hamilton Island 37 knots.