CQ may miss worst of Cyclone Ului | Rockhampton News | Local News in Rockhampton

CAPRICORNIA is likely to dodge the worst of nature’s fury when Tropical Cyclone Ului finally arrives at the weekend.

But Mackay and Townsville could feel the full force of destructive gales and storms.

And with wind speeds of 100kmh expected in Rockhampton tomorrow there’s a warning that poorly maintained older houses could be at risk of collapse.

Rockhampton Regional Council said yesterday afternoon homes built before 1982 were not subject to the same standards of cyclone resistance as more modern constructions and might not withstand a prolonged battering.

The authority also warned that people living in low lying areas prone to flooding should consider evacuating.

A tidal surge is expected tomorrow evening and the road around Yeppoon Bluff will be closed as a precaution.

The focus of attention shifted north yesterday as experts revised their predictions of where Ului would come ashore.

The Bureau of Meteorology, which had earlier said the cyclone was headed as far south as Gladstone, estimated it would strike on Sunday morning, somewhere between Cardwell and Mackay.

And the worldwide storm-tracking website Tropical Storm Risk suggested the eye of Ului would make land just south of Townsville.

But the Met office continues to stress that it is virtually impossible to second-guess a cyclone and that’s why it has issued a Cyclone Watch for the entire eastern coast from Cardwell to Yeppoon.

One hundred and fifty SES volunteers are primed and ready for a busy weekend says Eddie Cowie, the Rockhampton Regional Council full-time SES controller.

“Our biggest concern will be responding to flooding and damage caused by fallen trees,” Mr Cowie said yesterday.

“Our volunteers are ready to respond across the region and we have sandbags, tarpaulins, generators and other specialist equipment ready.”

Emergency services were briefed by the Met office yesterday afternoon at another sitting of the region’s Local Disaster Management Group in Rockhampton yesterday.

“The message is even if the cyclone hits land as far north as Proserpine we will get destructive winds,” said Mr Cowie.

Stormy seas, potentially damaging tides and high winds are still predicted for the Capricorn Coast.

“People between Cardwell and Yeppoon should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

A statement from the bureau issued yesterday afternoon said Category Three intensity was forecast through to landfall, although it was possible that some weakening was possible just prior to landfall

Send in your cyclone pics over the weekend to editoria@finda.com.au

 

PREPARE FOR A CYCLONE

- Trim branches, clean gutters, clear property of debris.

- Secure boats and move vehicles and bicycles under cover.

- Create an emergency kit containing first-aid kit, torch, radio, batteries, matches, waterproof bags, personal medication, clothing, canned food, water, tools and a list of emergency numbers.

- For an emergency kit checklist, visit www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/emergencykit.asp.

- Listen to the radio for cyclone warnings.

- Board or tape windows, store loose items, lock up pets, fill car with fuel and place under cover.

- If advised to evacuate, lock house, take emergency kit and follow instructions from emergency personnel.

- Check neighbours are aware of cyclone warning.

- Fill buckets and bath with water in case water supply becomes restricted.