O/T - Cyclone on the way! | Arthritis Information

Hi Guys, we are on cyclone watch here, Cyclone Hamish is currently further up in North Queensland, at the moment it has been downgraded from a category 5 to a 4 thank God, but the experts believe it may cross the coast onto land at Hervey Bay because of an almost U shape part of the sea at Fraser Island and Woody island, they have evacuated Fraser Island which is just off of our coast here in Hervey Bay and they say probably within the next 24 hours we can expect it here, the residents further up north have had awful winds and rain but thankfully it is mainly coastal about 235 km out at sea. Some expert suggested it may be as strong as hurricane Katrina, and category 5 is the highest it can go.

We are just watching and waiting, have put all outdoor furniture away, have started to get the emergency pack together medicines, radio, batteries, candles, torch, mobile phones, water, food, pets gear, bucket/loo roll etc etc as we are being advised. My boys are quite excited, especially the younger one. I will fill you in as I hear anymore important stuff. They say they can forcefully evacuate us as the govt have labelled it as a natural disaster zone if it hits. Please God it won't come to that! I hope and pray it does a turnabout and heads out to sea.

Have a comfortable night everyone, regards Janie. janiefx2009-03-08 04:54:56Good Luck, Janie! Please let us know how ya'll are doing, when you can.

I hope it downgrades some more.

Prayers going up it stays away from you and yours! Hope you don't have to evacuate either! Hi Guys, hopefully the major threat is over, the experts have downgraded the cyclone to a cat 3 and hopefully by tomorrow a cat 2, we are not out of the woods yet, but at least the news is better, regards Janie. Yikes Jaine! Hopefully you'll continue to hear good news and before you know it Hamish will be nothing but a breeze!Hey, Janie, I was starting to worry about you guys up there regarding Hamish. You are closer to the action than me. I am glad it has been downgraded. On top of all you deal with you could really do without a cyclone, poor lovie.

We have a serious change of weather here this morning - overcast, cool and raining. But that's all the action we've had being so much further south than you.

Thanks Cords, I think the boys are disappointed Glad the worst has passed...... stay safe, all!!janie,

I know the boys will be disappointed, but do hope that u get no destruction and damage up there. We had a bit of misty rain in Brisbane a little while ago and now sun trying to come out. Cyclones are so unpredictable. Was just so pleased Ingham was not hit yet again - I think they have had all they can stand for a while.

Lorraine

Janie, so pleased to hear you are all okay. I was talking to my brother in Rockhampton today and have been watching news reports ect. What a diverse weather pattern we have in Australia at this time. In Victoria we have been ravaged by bushfires with death and destruction. In Horsham where I live 11 homes and the local Golf Clubhouse were destroyed also livestock.

There are part of Queensland that have been cut off for weeks with floods and we down South are having the worst Drought and Bush Fires on record.

On a lighter note we are not sure if we should be praying for rain? or sunshine ? as the messages are getting mixed!!!