MEGA CYCLONE YASI CAUSING MUCH DESTRUCTION

YASI Still a CAT 2 Cyclone Leaving a Trail of Destruction in its Path

Innisfail, Mission Beach, Tully, Tully Heads and Cardwell have borne the brunt of the category five mega cyclone, early reports say.

The mega  cyclone made landfall between Innisfail and Cardwell about midnight local time. The eye took more than an hour to cross the coast.

TROPICAL CYCLONE YASI FORECAST TRACK MAP

Issued at 7:48 am EST Thursday 3 February 2011. Refer to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 32 [mirrored below.]

Map legend. Source: BOM

The ‘Devil’ and its Tail

MEGA CYCLONE YASI QUEENSLANDING – MTSAT- Enhanced satellite image – NOAA

Australian Region Infrared Satellite Image

Source: Australia Bom

• Animation of the last 4 images (enhanced IR)
• Infrared Loop

YASI: About 14 hours after landfall …

Source: CIMSS

Infrared Image of Cyclone YASI taken by AIRS

At 03:29 UTC /1:29 p.m. Australia local time on Febr. 2 (10:29 p.m. EST, Feb. 1), the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument captured an infrared image of Cyclone Yasi as its center was just southeast of Willis Island. The infrared image showed powerful thunderstorms with strong convection and heavy rainfall (purple) surrounding a large area around a very clear eye. Image and caption: NASA

A Trail of Destruction: More, Even Bigger Disasters to Follow

“Cyclone YASI has almost wiped out Australia’s banana industry and vast tracts of caneland, with plantations flattened by the fierce winds,” a report said.

Banana crops destroyed b y YASI. Crops intended for human consumption destroyed by yet another human-enhanced disaster. The storm surge has left a vast area under water. Source: News Limited via the Australian. Image may be subject to copyright.

The Sheer Power of YASI. A freeze frame from Australian TV. Image may be subject to copyright.

IDQP0005 – Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland — Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: Transmitters serving the area from Port Douglas to Bowen and inland to Richmond and Croydon are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal
before broadcasting the following warning.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 32 — Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane  —  Issued at 7:46am EST on Thursday the 3rd of February 2011

A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal and island communities from Cairns to Ayr, extending west across the tropical interior to Mt. Isa.

At 8:00 am EST Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Category 2 was estimated to be 110 kilometres south southeast of Georgetown and 245 kilometres west southwest of Cardwell and moving southwest at 38 kilometres per hour.

YASI CONTINUES TO WEAKEN, BUT IS PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN AND DANGEROUS WIND GUSTS AS IT MOVES ACROSS THE TROPICAL INTERIOR.

The DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Yasi, with gusts in excess of 125 km/h, will weaken as it continues to move in a west-southwesterly direction. Yasi is south-east of Georgetown and will be near Mt Isa tonight as a tropical depression.

DAMAGING WINDS, with gusts above 90 km/hr, are occurring along the coast and extend inland to Georgetown and Hughenden. They will extend further west towards Richmond and Julia Creek during the day.

HIGHER THAN NORMAL TIDES and large waves will continue between Port Douglas and Ayr and sea levels may again exceed the high water mark on the morning high tide.

FLOOD RAINS will continue along the coast and ranges, with heavy rains extending across the adjacent inland.

FLOOD WARNINGS are current for a number of rivers between Cairns and Mackay.

People in the path of the dangerous cyclone should stay calm and remain in a secure shelter while the destructive winds continue.
– Do not venture outside if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone; destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any time.
– Follow the advice or directions of Police, Emergency Services personnel and local authorities.
– 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 Tropical Cyclone Yasi at 8:00 am EST:
.Centre located near…… 19.2 degrees South 143.9 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 35 kilometres
.Recent movement………. towards the southwest at 38 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre… 140 kilometres per hour
.Severity category…….. 2
.Central pressure……… 983 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 11:00 am EST Thursday 03 February.

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

Australia Weather Warnings:

• CURRENT WARNINGS
• TROPICAL CYCLONE | NSW/ACT | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | NT

Queensland Warnings Summary

• High Seas Warning for TC Yasi,
• East Coastal Waters issued by Brisbane for TC Yasi,
• Severe Weather Warning 1,
• Flood Warning – Coastal rivers – Cooktown to Townsville,
• Flood Warning – Johnstone River,
• Flood Warning – Tully River,
• Flood Warning – Herbert River,
• Flood Warning – Coastal rivers – Townsville to Mackay,
• Flood Warning – Haughton River,
• Flood Warning – Burdekin River,
• Flood Warning – Fitzroy River,
• Flood Warning – Condamine-Balonne Rivers,
• Flood Warning – Gulf Rivers,
• Queensland flood warning summary,
• Forecast Track Map (QLD) for TC Yasi,
• Tropical Cyclone Advice for TC Yasi.

• Tropical Cyclone Warnings and Information

Related Links:

• YASI a Mega Cyclone

• YASI Could Become Super Cyclone
• YASI: If the ‘Devil’ Were a Cyclone
• TC ANTHONY Prepares for Queenslanding, Followed by YASI
• More Australian Coal, Anyone?

• In Nature They Don’t Trust
• Vicious Storms Attacking Queensland
• Cyclone WILMA Powers Up to Cat 4 Strength
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia

In Nature They Don’t Trust

The Disaster Continent

TC Bianca Moves South along Western Australia’s Coast, as Anthony Returns for Queenslanding

NOT Smart!

Waging a war against nature and expecting to win it are two frightfully unintelligent acts.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, wildfires, drought and deluge as well as all other natural forces work as nature’s  defense mechanisms. Australia is not immune to any of those forces (hint!)

Australia is not alone. All around us there’s a growing body of evidence that nature has begun targeting communities that are participating directly or indirectly in the vicious and destructive wars of resource depletion, poisoning and pollution against her.  In these worsening wars of aggression, there are no such things as innocent victims and, unfortunately, some collateral damage should be expected because nature’s response is often collective.

Satellite Images of Tropical Cyclone BIANCA

TC BIANCA – MTSAT-2 Satellite image – Source: Digital Typhoon – Date/Time as inset. Click images to enlarge.

Cyclone BIANCA. IR Satellite Image (NHC Enhancement). Source: CIMSS. See inset for status. Click image to enlarge.

A natural-color image of TC BIANCA, a massive cyclone, captured by MODIS instrument on NASA’s Aqua satellite at 6:30 UTC on January 28, 2011. Source: NASA-EO.

Oceania Weather Animation for January 2011

• MPEG2
• WMV

Rainfall in Tropical Storm Bianca (TRMM – NASA)

Tropical Storm Bianca’s rainfall was captured by NASA’s TRMM satellite January 26, 2011. Heavy rainfall of about 2 inches (50 mm) per hour recorded. Source: NASA

Tropical Storm Bianca Forecast Track

Click images to enlarge.

Tropical Cyclone Anthony: Who would have thought Anthony will return?

Details for: TC Anthony

• Forecast Track Map (QLD)
• Tropical Cyclone Advice
• High Seas Warning
• Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin

Details for: Severe TC Bianca

• Forecast Track Map (WA)
• Tropical Cyclone Advice
• Coastal Waters Warning issued by Perth
• High Seas Warning
• Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin

Australia: Current Warnings

TROPICAL CYCLONE | NSW/ACT | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | NT

Related Links:

• Cyclone WILMA Powers Up to Cat 4 Strength
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia

Victoria Flood Update: 46 Towns Affected

The town of Horsham and township of Rupanyup threatened by raging floodwaters

The town of Echuca remains submerged after the Campaspe River peaked overnight at 95.75 meters AHD just after 9pm Sunday. The river has since marginally receded to 95.6m.

[Moderator’s Note: AHD is acronym for the Australian Height Datum, the mean sea level for 1966-1968, which was assigned the value of zero. ]

State Emergency Services has received about 6,000 calls for help, as 46 Victorian towns are affected by flooding, reports say.

In Horsham, western Victoria, SES is expecting the worst floods in more than 100 years.

“The Avoca River is also threatening towns including Quambatook, Culgoa, Boort and Donald, while Kerang is expected to be cut off in the coming days,” according to a report.

Status of Other Victorian Rivers:

• “At the Rochester Syphon the Campaspe River peaked at a record flood level of 9.17 metres (Major Flood Level 9.1 metres) during Saturday evening. This is higher than the 1983 flood peak of 9.15 metres. The current level is 9.02 metres and gradually falling (Moderate Flood Level 8.8 metres). It is expected that the river will remain above the moderate flood level until Tuesday
  afternoon/evening.”

• “In the township of Rochester the river level peaked above the highest gauge level (114.8 metres) well above the Major Flood Level (114.5 metres). The river is now falling, but is expected to remain above the Moderate Flood Level (114 metres) until Tuesday afternoon/evening.” BOM said.

• “The Murray River at the Echuca Wharf gauge is currently at 92.51 metres and rising slowly.”

Latest Significant River Heights:

• Campaspe R. D/S L. Eppalock 158.03m steady 10:45 AM MON 17/01/11
• Campaspe R. D/S L. Eppalock 158.03m steady 10:45 AM MON 17/01/11
• Campaspe R. at Rochester Syp. 9.02m steady 10:45 AM MON 17/01/11
• Campaspe R. at Echuca 95.6m AHD 08:30 AM MON 17/01/11
• Murray R. at Echuca Wharf 92.51m rising 10:45 AM MON 17/01/11 (SOURCE: BOM)

• Wimmera R. at Walmer 3.92m rising 03:44 PM MON 17/01/11
• Wimmera R. at Quontong Br. 6.97m rising 03:45 PM MON 17/01/11
• Wimmera R. U/S Dimboola 5.11m steady 03:39 PM MON 17/01/11

• Glenelg R. at Sandford 5.2m steady 01:00 PM SUN 16/01/11
• Ovens R. at Wangaratta 11.71m steady 08:30 AM MON 17/01/11
• Broken R. at Broken Weir 177.11m steady 05:07 AM SUN 16/01/11
• Seven Cks. at Kialla West 4.15m falling 09:36 AM MON 17/01/11
• Goulburn R. at Goulburn Weir DS 119.96m steady 02:58 PM MON 17/01/11
• Castle Ck. at Arcadia 1.14m steady 03:21 PM MON 17/01/11
• Goulburn R. at Arcadia Downs 9.71m rising 03:40 PM MON 17/01/11
• Seven Cks. at Kialla West 4.02m steady 03:06 PM MON 17/01/11
• Broken R. at Orrvale 5.88m steady 03:27 PM MON 17/01/11
• Goulburn R. at Shepparton 9.42m rising 03:31 PM MON 17/01/11
• Goulburn R. at McCoys Bridge 5.96m rising 02:30 PM MON 17/01/11
• Loddon R. at Kerang 77.13m steady 02:45 PM MON 17/01/11
• Avoca R. at Charlton D/S 7.10m falling 05:30 PM MON 17/01/11

Victorian Warnings Summary

• Coastal Waters Wind Warning for Victorian waters between Cape Otway and 60nm east of Gabo Island,
• Victoria Flood Warning Summary,
• Flood Warnings:Current
• Ocean Wind Warning 2 – South Eastern area.

Flood Threat Advice

IDD20510- Australian Government Bureau of MeteorologyNorthern Territory
Darwin Regional Forecasting Centre

FLOOD THREAT ADVICE
Issued by the BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY, DARWIN at 1100 CST Monday 17 JANUARY 2011

AREA INVOLVED: Darwin-Daly District.

RAINFALL SUMMARY
In the 24 hours to 9 am today there were scattered falls 10-20 mm over the Darwin-Daly District with very isolated falls 30-60 mm.

WEATHER SUMMARY
The monsoon trough lies to the south of the Top End and is expected to slip south a little before moving back north mid week. Scattered showers and isolated
thunderstorms with overnight rain periods will continue over the Darwin-Daly District.

FORECAST
for the rest of today and Tuesday Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms with overnight rain periods will result in scattered falls of 20-40mm over the Darwin-Daly District. Isolated heavy falls 50-80 mm possible. These totals may cause significant stream rises and localised flooding.

OUTLOOK for Wednesday and Thursday Scattered showers and isolated storms with scattered falls of 20-40 mm over the Darwin-Daly District, with isolated heavy falls 50-80 mm possible in the west. These totals may cause significant stream rises and localised flooding.

NEXT ADVICE
Around 11 am Tuesday.

DARWIN Regional Forecasting Centre.

Australia: WARNINGS CURRENT

TROPICAL CYCLONE | NSW/ACT | VIC | QLD | WA | TAS | NT

QLD Flood Update:

Queensland Premier has announced a commission of inquiry into the state’s devastating floods, as she confirmed the death toll in the disaster has climbed to 20 [total of 30 since December,] a report said.

At least 16 other people are still unaccounted for.

Related Links:

• Australia: Back-to-Back Disasters Hit Vic
• Flood crisis spreads to 5 Australian states
• Global Floods Update – Australia
• Back-to-Back Australian Disasters[Links page]

• Earth’s Human Induced Antiphase Nears Completion
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs

Australia: Back-to-Back Disasters Hit Vic

Victoria’s flood crisis to continue for days

Forty-three towns and nearly a third of Victoria have been inundated

At least 1400 properties across the Australian state of Victoria have been inundated, as 3,500 people are  forced to flee their homes.

Source: Image from Japan Meteorological Agency satellite MTSAT-1R via Bureau of Meteorology.  Click image to enlarge.

• Latest Satellite Image.
• IR Color Animation

Some 43 towns  have been affected by the floods,  said to be the worst flooding to hit northern and northwestern Victoria since records began 130 years ago.

A map of flooded areas in the state of Victoria. Source. Image may be subject to copyright.

The towns of Echuca, Horsham  and Kerang were expected to be hit by massive flooding as rivers in the ares peak overnight,  reports say.

”The message to Victorians is that we are not out of the woods yet as far as this flood crisis is concerned,” the State Emergency Service spokesman said. ”In some of our river systems we are seeing unprecedented stream rises.”

‘We anticipate parts of the central business district and areas to the west of the Campaspe river in Echuca to be impacted,” he said.

“Rochester, on the Campaspe, which reached a record height of 9.5m, far in excess of the previous record set in 1956, and Charlton on the Avoca, which peaked at 8.05m on Saturday, are among the towns worst hit so far,” a report said.

About 80 per cent of both towns have been inundated.

Weather and Warnings

• Tropical Cyclone,
• New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory,
• Victoria,
• Queensland,
• Western Australia,
• South Australia,
• Tasmania,
• Northern Territory.

Related Links:

• Flood crisis spreads to 5 Australian states
• Global Floods Update – Australia
• Back-to-Back Australian Disasters[Links page]

• Earth’s Human Induced Antiphase Nears Completion
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs

Brisbane Bruised and Bloodied

Australia Flood Disasters Round One:  Brisbane Bruised and Bloodied

The Brisbane River peaked at 4.46m (14.6ft) at about 05:30 local time today (19:30UTC Wednesday), which was less than a meter lower than the 1974 peak.

However, floodwaters have submerged about 3 dozen suburbs in Brisbane and large areas of Ipswhich, causing widespread damage.

Flood Facts

• The Brisbane River peaked at 4.46m (14.6ft) at about 05:30 local time Thursday (19:30UTC Wednesday)
• Water levels  are expected to remain high for at least 12 hours.
• Brisbane, Australia’s third largest city, is said to be experiencing the worst flooding in at least 50 years.
• Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes.
• About 25,000 homes are either partially or totally flooded.
• Floodwaters have caused substantial damage to infrastructure.
• Large areas of Brisbane and Ipswich remain under water.
• At least one death was reported in the area as a result of flooding.

• A list of flooded suburbs released by Brisbane City Council includes:   Albion,  Auchenflower, Bowen Hills, Brisbane City, Bulimba, Chelmer, Coorparoo, East Brisbane, Fairfield, Fig Tree Pocket, Fortitude Valley, Graceville, Hemmant, Indooroopilly, Kangaroo Point, Lytton, Murrarie, New Farm, Newstead, Norman Park, Oxley, Pinkenba, Rocklea, Sherwood, South Brisbane, Tennyson, Toowong, Windsor, Wacol, Yeronga, Yeerongpilly
• A partial list of inundated suburbs of Ipswich is available HERE.
• Drinking water supplies are a major concern in many areas, especially in the Lockyer Valley.
• About 120,000 properties in Queensland are without electricity.
• Confirmed death toll from flooding has now reached 15 19 from this week’s flooding (12 died in TooWoomba; total of 29 in Queensland since December) with a reported 61 people still missing.

Brisbane Flood Map

Source: Brisbane City Council

Larger Flood Maps (PDF)

• Whole of Brisbane (1.8Mb)
• Brisbane South (5.7Mb)
• Brisbane East (5.5Mb)
• Brisbane West (3.7Mb)

Queensland’s Premier Anna Bligh said: “This is still a very dangerous situation and we have thousands of people who are waking this morning to the total devastation of either their homes, businesses – for some people it’s both.

“We should be very mindful that Mother Nature has done shocking and devastating damage. People are living, at the moment, in what I would call a post-war zone.”

“Post-War Zone”

Brisbane residents awoke to the “post-war zone” this morning with entire suburbs submerged under water.  “The worst flood in 50 years” has caused widespread destruction to the infrastructure throughout the area, a report said.

“It’s a very mixed story here today, there is some relief and I’m grateful Mother Nature hasn’t been as terrible as she could have been, but people are waking up to unbearable agony across our city today,” Blight told reporters.

“We’ve seen scenes of unbelievable devastation and destruction: entire suburbs where only rooftops can be glimpsed, whole big workplaces are completely under water.”

“Whole industrial parks (and) railway stations under water, bridges, roads all closed. What I’m seeing looks more like a war zone in some places,” she said.

Bligh described the scale of damage as massive requiring “post-war” rebuilding effort.

Floodwaters Kill Two

Two Seven Brisbane area deaths have raised this week’s toll in SE Queensland to 15 19, a total of 25 29 reported deaths in Qld since December.

“Early reports indicated the man walked around road closed signs into property that is believed to be his father’s property to check that property,” Premier Blight said.

“Unfortunately as he walked he was sucked into a stormwater drain.”

A second death has since been reported.

Excerpts from News Reports

Extra police deployed to prevent looting

“Extra police are being brought in to patrol vast flooded areas in Brisbane and Ipswich to provide security and prevent looting.” Source

Looters target Ipswich flood victims

“IPSWICH was dealing with a scourge worse than the floods after looters broke into unattended homes and businesses.” Source

“The small town of Goondiwindi in Queensland’s south-west is on high alert, with fears the flooding Macintyre River could breach the town’s levee bank.” Source

Forecast Total Rainfall

Forecast for Friday 14 January 2011 to Friday 21 January 2011. Source Australia BOM.

Latest Weather Observations for the Brisbane Area

• Source: BOM

Queensland Warnings Summary

• Current warnings

Australia’s Latest Weather Warnings

• NSW/ACT | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | NT

‎

Related Links:

• QLD Floods: Brisbane Under Seige
• 8 dead 72 missing as ‘inland tsunami’ hits Qld
• Queensland Flood Update – 10 January
• Brisbane on high alert for flooding
• Back-to-Back Australian Disasters[Links page]

Other Links

• Earth’s Human Induced Antiphase Nears Completion
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs