Cyclone Hamish has been upgraded to a Category 4, and is expected to severly affect the Whitsundays Sunday morning.
While communications persist, live coverage of Hamish's impact on the Whitsundays can be viewed on the internet at www.whitsundaytv.net .
CATEGORY 4 (severe tropical cyclone)
Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.
A Category 4 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 225 - 279 km/h.
Here is the latest from the Australian Bureau of Metoerology:
TOP PRIORITY FOR
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 14
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 2:08pm on Saturday the 7th of March 2009
A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from
Townsville 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 Lucinda and Townsville.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, has intensified to a category 4 cyclone. It is
located in the northwestern Coral Sea and at 1:00 pm EST was estimated to be 295
kilometres east southeast of Cairns and 265 kilometres northeast of Townsville,
moving south southeast at 17 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 Townsville
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 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 Rockhampton during the next 24 hours.
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 1:00 pm EST:
.Centre located near...... 17.5 degrees South 148.5 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 19 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the south southeast at 17 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 230 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 4
.Central pressure......... 955 hectoPascals
People between Townsville 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.
The next advice will be issued by 5:00 pm EST Saturday 07 March.
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