Queenslanders (Aussies) ...

[Lynn Grieveson]

Stay safe in that cyclone. (ie hurricane in US speak).

Hoping it swings away or dies down before it hits you. You guys have been through enough

[Jen D]

Oh boy... it seems the weather has gone nuts all around the world. Praying for all of you ...may the wind carry it somewhere far away from land.

[Amson]

Yes this one looks so large on the weather maps. Just what we need after floods, more rain! Hope everyone up north stays safe.

[muddygirl]

It is due to hit Cairns (in the far north) tommorrow night. The Army is evacuating the hospital today, and tourists are being advised to travel south as quickly as possible. Our state really is in a mess. The southern half is still cleaning up from massive floods and now the north is going to be devestated by winds and rain. I hope that people are heading the warnings better than they did for the floods and evacuating and preparing themselves for this. I hope that there is no loss of life up there!

I havent heard of any of our active DD family from anyone in that area, but if there is, please stay safe!

[carollee]

Queensland can't take a trick at the moment. Have just been on the phone to some dear friends up in Cairns, I'm really worried for them now, but Sam, I think they've been through that many cyclones that he's thinking this is just another one for them to ride out. Heck, I'd be out of there like a shot.

[muddygirl]

This is whats coming. I would be scared if this was heading for my town!
MTSAT Infrared Colorized Image Loop - Satellite Services Division - Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by muddygirl

This is whats coming. I would be scared if this was heading for my town!
MTSAT Infrared Colorized Image Loop - Satellite Services Division - Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution

That's a beauty, for sure. I'll be praying for y'all. Terrible weather, I hope this all blows by soon.

[maureenreynolds]

Sam, that's almost like art but boy what art.

btw, the GOES satellites are what pay the bills round here. DH has enough work on the next ones to keep us fed probably for the rest of our lives.

[carollee]

Exactly right Sam, Mike looked that up last night. I'd be long gone if I were them.

[muddygirl]

OMG... It got upgraded to Category 5 in the last hour!!!

[echogirl]

My friend's Mother is in it...and apparently she's not moving. Praying for her and all those there.

[dugarner]

I'm officially scared for y'all now. I have been in a Cat 5 hurricane but by the time the storm hit where I lived it was a Cat 4. We lost power for a week and thankfully our neighbors had a propane grill and a generator. Your east coast is sure having a terrible, terrible summer. I wish there were something I could do to help---half a world away.

[Janet1949]

Apparently the hospital was going to fly my husband down to brissie yesterday, but because all the aircraft were evacuating the hospitals up in Cairns and Townsville to Brisbane, due to the cyclone coming, they are flying him down today... Apparently they did find the enzyme in his blood, and now saying he definitely had a heart attack.. waiting for him to ring me when he is on his way... OMG, Im really worried now...

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by Janet1949

OMG, Im really worried now...

Janet, they'll get him out. Praying for you all, keep us updated.

[DonnaNJ]

OMG that is one heck of a storm.. praying for all in it's path

[Scrapbird]

Oh, wow. Haven't you girls been through enough??? Please stay safe.

[KerryMac]

Janet, all the best to you and your family. Be safe. You're in my thoughts.

And to Sam and all the Aussies here...take care of yourselves. And keep in touch here. Hugs.

[LoriS]

Oh, boy.... take care down under, everyone!!!! I'll be thinking of you!

[jazzmatazz]

Godspeed to all those in the path of the cyclone. It is a whopper! Praying it changes course to go back out to sea. Hang on, ladies! And let us know how you are fairing when you can!!

Janet, special prayers for you and your dh!!

[whatnext]

oh, good grief! it's huge! i hope everyone gets to safe places. this is all just over-the-top too much. and hang in there, Janet.

[kathie02]

That looks so huge and scary.....hope that everyone in its path stays safe.

[esther_a]

This is very sobering - the cyclone is possibly even bigger than Katrina. Here is a map of the size of the cyclone superimposed on a map of the USA:
How Cyclone Yasi compares around the world | Latest news on the Queensland Floods | News.com.au

[carollee]

Jeepers, I'm so mad at my friends in Cairns, I know they've been through a lot of cyclones before, but they're staying put. The last message I got today was that they've bunkered down and it was too late to go now anyway and only would if they were forced. I want to shake them!! I have no idea if they are at home or in an evacuation centre.

[maureenreynolds]

Praying that it isn't as bad as we fear. You are in my heart ladies.

[Amson]

The cyclone veered south before hitting land so luckily Cairns (the major city in North Queensland) was spared. It hit land as Category 5 at some smaller townships and it seems from early reports that while these towns have been severely damaged most people are OK. I am not sure if there are any from our community in that area but don't believe so??

Yasi has now moved inland and has just been downgraded to category 2.

It seems that the mass evacuations and preparation etc have paid off. These areas get cyclones most years and are well organised (usually).

More news will come in later today as there is still no access to affected areas.