Post by Tulameen on Mar 9, 2005 16:46:15 GMT -5
Strong cyclone to hit Queensland
Queensland residents have been preparing for the worst
Areas of Australia's north-east coast are on high alert as the region braces for a powerful cyclone.
Cyclone Ingrid, which is due to hit northern Queensland, earlier had winds of up to 280km/h (175mph), although it has since lost some of its strength.
It has been downgraded from a maximum category five to a category four.
But experts have warned that Ingrid, which is now just hours from the coast, could still cause significant damage and should not be underestimated.
it has been compared with Cyclone Tracy, which devastated the northern city of Darwin on Christmas Day 1974.
Queensland residents have been preparing for the worst, packing sandbags and gathering emergency supplies.
"There's not quite gale force winds on the coast yet [but] we are expecting them to develop during the day, so there is a great opportunity for people to stock up on food and water, batteries for the radio and secure things outside," meteorologist Phil Alford told the Associated Press.
The storm's impact is already being felt off Cape Melville and Princess Charlotte Bay.
Some people, including several Aboriginal communities, have moved into temporary shelters elsewhere.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4331827.stm
Queensland residents have been preparing for the worst
Areas of Australia's north-east coast are on high alert as the region braces for a powerful cyclone.
Cyclone Ingrid, which is due to hit northern Queensland, earlier had winds of up to 280km/h (175mph), although it has since lost some of its strength.
It has been downgraded from a maximum category five to a category four.
But experts have warned that Ingrid, which is now just hours from the coast, could still cause significant damage and should not be underestimated.
it has been compared with Cyclone Tracy, which devastated the northern city of Darwin on Christmas Day 1974.
Queensland residents have been preparing for the worst, packing sandbags and gathering emergency supplies.
"There's not quite gale force winds on the coast yet [but] we are expecting them to develop during the day, so there is a great opportunity for people to stock up on food and water, batteries for the radio and secure things outside," meteorologist Phil Alford told the Associated Press.
The storm's impact is already being felt off Cape Melville and Princess Charlotte Bay.
Some people, including several Aboriginal communities, have moved into temporary shelters elsewhere.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4331827.stm