Cyclone Hamish expected to hit late Sunday night

Cyclone Hamish will strengthen to a Category 4 later today. The most severe weather activity in the Whitsundays is expected around midnight, Sunday night. Here is the latest from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 13
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 11:05am on Saturday the 7th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from
Lucinda to Saint Lawrence. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and
island communities from Saint Lawrence to Hervey Bay.

The Cyclone Warning has been cancelled between Innisfail and Lucinda.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a category 3 cyclone, is located in the
northwestern Coral Sea and at 10:00 am EST was estimated to be 250 kilometres
east of Cairns and 295 kilometres north northeast of Townsville, moving south
southeast at 16 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish is expected to continue moving south to southeast
parallel to the coast.

Damaging wind gusts may affect coastal and island communities between Lucinda
and St Lawrence during the next 24 hours.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may affect coastal and island communities between Ayr and St
Lawrence [including the Whitsunday islands] early on Sunday morning.

Damaging wind gusts may develop about coastal and island communities between St
Lawrence and Hervey Bay [including Heron and Lady Elliot Islands] within 24 to
48 hours.

As the cyclone moves southward and deepens overnight, sea levels are expected to
be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone.
Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in
areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect
their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall may cause flooding in some coastal streams and rivers
between Townsville and Mackay during the next 24 hours.


Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 10:00 am EST:
.Centre located near...... 16.9 degrees South 148.1 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 19 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the south southeast at 16 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 220 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 3
.Central pressure......... 960 hectoPascals

People between Innisfail and St Lawrence should immediately commence or continue
preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between St Lawrence and Hervey Bay should consider what action they will
need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the
actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or
local State Emergency Service.