Posted on 02/01/2011 12:25:04 PM PST by TaraP
Australia has begun evacuating thousands of people from its northeastern coast ahead of a cyclone that could rival Hurricane Katrina in its destructive power. Cyclone Yasi has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm. Forecasters say it is likely to further strengthen and could generate winds of up to 175 mph before it hits land on Wednesday morning. An official warning has been issued saying it poses a "serious threat" to communities in north Queensland. More than 400,000 people live in Yasi's predicted path, which includes the towns of Cairns, Townsville and Mackay. The region, which takes in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, is a major tourist destination. Cyclone Yasi is 400 miles wide and bearing down on an area which has already suffered from devastating floods. The state premier, Anna Bligh, has described it as a "monster, killer storm" and she predicted deadly surges inland. Sea levels are expected to rise significantly and will lead to flooding of low lying coastal areas according to an official forecast. Yasi will also bring damaging waves and strong currents. A strong monsoon is also feeding the cyclone and this could lead to it maintaining strength as sweeps inland, potentially up to 600 miles to the outback mining city of Mount Isa.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
I am feeling bad for our Aussie friends....drought last year, flooding this year and weren’t they over run by rats awhile back.....
Prayers for them.....
Yikes!
The entire planet is in peril.....
Palin’s fault.
Wait until they are overrun with Muslims — then they’ll have really bad problems.
The JUZE are responsible!
IBLBIOA - In before Leftists blame it on AGW!
Wow, there are probably some small islands under those storm clouds. No place to run.
Last week I got greedy. I used two sheets of toilet paper....and look what happened. My bad.
Wasn't Katrina a Category 3 storm at landfall? If Yasi was a 4 (and now a 5); then it clearly has much more destructive power. That's not to say the damage will be as costly; given the smaller population affected, and the absence of below-sea-level cities.
One of the more enlightening things that has happened in Texas is the day that a hurricane hit the Texas coast and was contained within the confines of the King Ranch.
Knocked down some buildings and power washed a couple hundred thousand cows. That was it.
Don’t tell Sheryl Crow.
Hurry up and send Obama. He will lower the sea levels!!! Oh yes he can!!!!
Where’s “Schoolbus” Nagin when you need him.
that would have been Allen, 1979 or 80 .
i think a cat 5, but hit the unpopulated area
Most Aussies aren’t stupid enough to hang around and wait for it to sweep them away.
It was in the last 7 or so years. Texas is huge.
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