Tropical Cyclones are low pressure systems. They are not
associated with a front but are formed over warm tropical waters and have gale
force winds. These winds can extend hundreds of kilometers from the center of
the storm. Once these winds hit 118 kilometers per hour the cyclone is
classified as a severe tropical cyclone. The center of the storm is known as
the eye and is characterized by light winds and clear skies. It is surrounded
by a wall of dense cloud about 16 km high. This marks the area of the strongest
winds and heaviest rainfall.
At 0600 hours on Wednesday February 2 2011 the word went out
across the airways that Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi had been upgraded to a
Category 5 cyclone. A Category 5 storm is characterized by winds in excess of
280 kilometers per hour and described as dangerous. The chances of this storm
causing widespread destruction were excellent. This cyclone had a diameter of
six hundred kilometers and the eye was estimated to be more than thirty
kilometers wide. At this time the authorities warned the public to expect a
storm of catastrophic proportions. It was forecast to hit in the most highly
populated part of tropical North Queensland Australia on the early morning of
February 3rd.
Everyone had been watching Cyclone Yasi approach the North
Queensland coast for days since the system formed over near Fiji. It had
tracking south to south-west and the model suggested that it was heading
towards Cairns and Innisfail. The public were told to expect:
* Winds up to three hundred kilometers per hour.
* Airborne debris.
* Deafening noise.
* Torrential rain and flooding.
* Road closures.
* High seas and dangerous swells with three to five meter
storm surges.
* Loss of power to two hundred thousand people.
* Loss of telecommunications.
Storm surges are dangerous tsunami-like, fast-moving waters
which are certain to inundate low-lying areas. The level of the water rises
within the low pressure area in the eye of the cyclone and this is pushed
forward by the storm. Unfortunately this storm surge was due to coincide with
the high tide as Yasi crossed the coast. Authorities also predicted that this
storm surge would be higher at the southern side of where the cyclone would
meet the mainland.
Thirty thousand people had been urged and some ordered to
evacuate to eleven nominated evacuation centers in the area in the path of the
storm. Two hundred and fifty intensive care patients in the area were evacuated
to Brisbane hospitals 1500 kilometers to the south. This was the largest hospital
evacuation ever to take place in Australia. Two hundred thousand text messages
alerts were sent to people in the danger areas.
The warnings or advice given to those residents who insisted
on staying at their residence throughout the storm were to prepare for the
cyclone with the following advice:
* Gather in the smallest room in the house. The bathroom is
normally considered the safest and strongest part of the house.
* Gather mattresses and use for shelter in case the roof is
blown off.
* Once the storm hits, stay put as it is impossible for
emergency service personnel to respond until after the event.
* Store water and fill the bath full of water for drinking
water. Have purification tablets handy.
* Tape all windows to strengthen and reduce the risk of
breakage.
* Ensure adequate tin food and water supplies for up to a
week.
* Ensure enough cash for food and petrol.
* Ensure the operation of torches, radio and batteries.
* Wear covered shoes to protect the feet from any instance
of broken glass and other sharp objects.
* Wear warm clothes and keep rain coats handy.
* Ensure there is something to urinate into such as a
portable potty.
* Disconnect and unplug all gas, water and electrical
equipment and appliances.
* Clean the surrounding yard to ensure there are no
potential missiles.
* Stay calm and sober. People will be then more likely to
make good decisions if the need arises.
* Mentally prepare children for what is ahead.
* As the eye of the cyclone passes over, be careful not to
think that the cyclone has passed.
* Release the pressure within homes by opening windows on
the opposite side to the way the wind is blowing.
* Expect the wind to come from a different direction once
the eye passes.
As it turned out, the communities of Mission Beach, Tully,
Tully Heads, Cardwell and Innisfail, about 160 km south of Cairns, bore the
brunt of the storm. There was extensive damage to hundreds of buildings with
roofs torn off and power poles knocked over. Banana and sugar cane crops were
all but wiped out. The Prime Minister of Australia Ms Julia Gillard described
the cyclone as the worst cyclone to hit Australia. There was one known death
from the storm. A man died from asphyxiation from the exhaust fumes from a
generator he was running inside a closed room. The fact that the death toll was
not higher as a consequence of the 'worst cyclone to hit Australia' is a great
testament to the sensibility of the residents of North East Queensland. They
obviously listened to the warnings and cooperated with authorities.
Within five hours of hitting the coast, the storm was
downgraded to a Category 3 system. It proceeded inland North Queensland where
it weakened to a tropical depression. Thousands of people were made homeless
and many lost everything. Roads, schools and airports were closed. Food
shortages, water supply and sewerage were a major concern. 180,000 people were
left without electricity. There was no telecommunication coverage as towers had
been disabled. The military together with emergency service volunteers were
deployed to the area to assist with the cleanup. The place looked like a bomb
had hit it. One can only guess at the damage bill and the number of lives
disrupted by this powerful freak of nature.
