Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Cyclone Hamish passes Whitsundays, but more danger south

by Sail-World on 8 Mar 2009
Predicted Cyclone Hamish track Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au
Hamilton Island, the largest resort island in Queensland's Whitsundays is getting back to business as usual after Cyclone Hamish threatened last night and this morning.

The island went into its most advanced state of preparedness at around 10.30pm last night when all guests and residents were requested to remain inside their accommodation buildings. Around 11pm last night winds gusted last night to 51 knots and reach 50 knots again at 5am this morning but have been moderating since.

Last night Hamilton Island chief executive officer Glen Bourke says staff were securing boats and property.

'We're into cyclone warning blue, which means some of the residents moved into the Reef View Hotel which is the principal safe haven,' he said.

Hamilton Island management provided guests with free meals for breakfast, morning tea and lunch as well as offering free in-room movies.

The Hamilton Island airport is closed today, however restaurants are expected to open for dinner service tonight. Due to the unpredictable nature of cyclones, the island will remain on cyclone alert until it has completely passed the area.

There are currently around 1180 guests on the island plus a resident base of around 1000 people.

However the category five Cyclone Hamish is now forecast to pose the greatest risk to central Queensland and the Wide Bay region of the state.

Lady Elliot and Heron Islands, off the coast of Gladstone, have been evacuated as a precaution against a tidal surge but Fraser Island is now in danger.

The cyclone warning has been extended south to Bundaberg, with a cyclone watch through to Tewantin on the Sunshine Coast, as Hamish continues to run parallel to the coastline - it has travelled further south than initially anticipated.

Premier Anna Bligh told Brisbane media this morning, 'All of the central Queensland areas now have to take precautions.' Ms Bligh said Fraser Island's residents would being evacuated off the island. 'At this stage, the evacuation is proceeding smoothly and people are moving off their campsites and heading down to get off the southern end of the island.'
Switch One DesignX-Yachts X4.3Selden 2020 - FOOTER

Related Articles

RORC centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
All set for another record-breaker Less than two months now remain until the start of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, this year coinciding with the Royal Ocean Racing Club's centenary.
Posted today at 10:06 am
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, overall
Corinthian Yacht Club puts on top notch performance to win Sustained winds in the low 20-knot range and choppy seas brought on another challenging day in the final stretch of the 2025 Team Racing World Championship.
Posted today at 4:19 am
Young Aussie squad ready to shine at Europeans
Australia's fast boat sailors are set for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans in Greece Australia's fast boat sailors are set to take on the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships this week in Thessaloniki, Greece. With up to 18 races scheduled over the next six days, it's set to be a high-intensity regatta.
Posted today at 4:04 am
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys.
Posted on 1 Jun
Southern Wind Rendezvous overall
A Perfect Conclusion to a Perfect Event The horn sounded right on time for the fourth day of the Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy. Blue skies, warm sun, and 6-7 knots of breeze with gusts up to 10 knots accompanied the fleet on a 15-mile course rounding Monaci and Secca Tre Monti.
Posted on 1 Jun
16th 151 Miglia-Trofeo Cetilar concludes
Mylius 60 crossed the finish line to win the IRC Over 60 maxi class It has been a long time coming after spending much of the 2024 season finishing second and even continuing this in the recent IMA Maxi European Championship, but finally Guido Paolo Gamucci's Cippa Lippa X has won a race.
Posted on 1 Jun
PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race draws to a close
With all three competing yachts now officially retired The 2025 PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race has concluded with all three competing yachts now officially retired.
Posted on 1 Jun
Casa Vela Cup 2025 at St Francis Yacht Club overal
Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink Normandy team claimed a decisive victory French match racing skipper Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink Normandy team claimed a decisive victory on Saturday at the 2025 Casa Vela Cup, held in the iconic waters of San Francisco Bay and hosted by the St.Francis Yacht Club.
Posted on 1 Jun
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, Day 3
Epic breeze cuts racing short; clear division between teams sets scene for final day Sunny skies met big breeze on Day 3 but by 12:30 p.m. racing was postponed, and as the wind built to 25+, the Race Committee abandoned racing at 3:00 p.m.
Posted on 1 Jun
Ponant Sydney Noumea Race Start in Images
A light and variable breeze got the three-boat fleet away in the afternoon light It was a quiet start to the Ponant Sydney Noumea Race, with the fleet the leaving Sydney Harbour in a light and variable breeze. Grant Wharington and Adrian Seiffert's Wild Thing 100 led the fleet of three down the harbour on a close reach
Posted on 31 May