YASI - Here it comes!

Link to www.goes.noaa.gov image.

IDQP0005
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: Transmitters serving the area from Cape Flattery to Sarina and inland to
Georgetown are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before
broadcasting the following warning.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 15
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 2:57pm EST on Wednesday the 2nd of February 2011

A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal and island communities from Cape
Flattery to Sarina, extending inland to Julia Creek and to the area west of
Croydon.

A Cyclone WATCH is current for the remaining inland parts west to the Northern
Territory border and north of Winton.

At 3:00 pm EST Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Category 5 was estimated to be 280
kilometres east of Cairns and 305 kilometres north northeast of Townsville and
moving west southwest at 35 kilometres per hour.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE YASI IS A LARGE AND VERY POWERFUL TROPICAL CYCLONE AND
POSES AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY WITHIN THE WARNING AREA,
ESPECIALLY BETWEEN CAIRNS AND TOWNSVILLE.

DURING THE EVENING, THE VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE OF CYCLONE YASI WILL CROSS THE
COAST BETWEEN CAIRNS AND INGHAM, ACCOMPANIED BY A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE SOUTH OF
THE CYCLONE CENTRE.

Tropical Cyclone Yasi, CATEGORY 5, will continue to move in a west-southwesterly
direction. The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Innisfail and
Cardwell close to midnight.

Coastal residents within the warning area, and particularly between Cairns and
Proserpine including the Whitsundays, are specifically warned of an EXTREMELY
DANGEROUS SEA LEVEL RISE [i.e. storm tide] as the cyclone approaches, crosses
the coast and moves inland. The sea is likely to steadily rise up to a level
which will be VERY DANGEROUSLY above the normal tide, with EXTREMELY DAMAGING
WAVES, STRONG CURRENTS and FLOODING of low-lying areas extending some way
inland. 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
follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by
authorities.

DAMAGING WINDS with gusts to 90 km/hr are currently affecting the coast and
islands, and are forecast to spread into the tropical interior overnight and
west to Julia Creek during Thursday.

Between Port Douglas and Ayr these winds will become DESTRUCTIVE with gusts in
excess of 125 km/hr developing during this afternoon and early evening,
spreading into the tropical interior overnight. VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with
gusts up to 290 km/hr are expected to develop between Cairns and Ingham during
the evening as the cyclone approaches and crosses the coast. These VERY
DESTRUCTIVE winds will also occur north of the cyclone and affect the Atherton
Tablelands.

Due to the large size of the cyclone, people in the path of the VERY DESTRUCTIVE
WINDS are likely to experience these conditions for about 3 to 4 hours.

Winds are forecast to gradually ease about the east coast during Thursday
morning as the cyclone moves inland.

FLOODING RAINS will develop from Cooktown to Sarina during the afternoon and
then extend inland overnight.

People between Cape Flattery and Sarina, extending inland to Julia Creek and to
the area west of Croydon should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to
shelter in a safe place.
- Boats and outside property should be secured.
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster
Management Services website [www.disaster.qld.gov.au]
- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service [SES] on
132 500 [for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on
buildings or roof damage].

People about the remaining inland parts west to the Northern Territory border
and north of Winton should consider what action they will need to take if the
cyclone threat increases.
- Information is available from your local government
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster
Management Services website [www.disaster.qld.gov.au]
- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service [SES] on
132 500 [for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on
buildings or roof damage].

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi at 3:00 pm EST:
.Centre located near...... 17.0 degrees South 148.4 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 30 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 35 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 285 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 5
.Central pressure......... 930 hectoPascals


Please ensure that neighbours have heard and understood this message,
particularly new arrivals or those who may not fully understand English.

The next advice will be issued by 4:00 pm EST Wednesday 02 February.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's
website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State
Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.