Cyclone Ului cancels events | Rockhampton News | Local News in Rockhampton

IT’S been a long time coming, but the first material impacts of Cyclone Ului were felt in the region yesterday as authorities cancelled a wide range of events planned for the weekend.

As residents at the Capricorn Coast prepared for an almighty battering, Queensland Health called off human swine flu vaccinations planned for North Rockhampton State High School today.

The Bureau of Meteorology downgraded Ului to category two yesterday afternoon and reported it was likely to remain at that intensity as it hit land on Sunday morning between Cardwell and Mackay.

The most likely track is for it to make landfall just north of Proserpine.

Nevertheless, authorities continued to warn that damaging winds were likely to strike the Capricorn Coast beaches today, with even fiercer winds overnight.

A category two cyclone typically brings winds in excess of 115kmh, gusting to more than 164kmh – enough to uproot trees, cause minor structural damage to buildings and heavy damage to crops.

It looks as if Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast will be on the fringes of the area affected by such winds, but a severe weather warning is still current.

Dick Whitaker, The Weather Channel’s senior forecaster, said strong winds south of the cyclone’s centre could push sea water towards the land to produce a storm surge.

And Robbie Medlin, Emergency Management Queensland’s central region director, warned against complacency.

“The threat from this cyclone is now very real and I would be quite concerned about any residents who live within the warning zone (including Yeppoon) who have not taken steps to prepare their family or property,” he said.

“It is not enough for people to take a wait-and-see approach any more as inaction at this late stage could result in people finding themselves isolated with no food or water and property damage to deal with.”

People in low-lying areas prone to flooding are advised to make plans to stay with family or friends.

There are concerns that some beaches could suffer severe erosion damage and the bureau is predicting significant rainfall across the region during Sunday and Monday, increasing the chance of flooding along the Fitzroy River next week.

Mr Medlin said cyclones often turned into rain depressions which brought prolonged flooding.

With rivers already swollen and dams overflowing, several days of heavy rain could be devastating.

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.