CYCLONE WARNING (AUSTRALIA)

[AussieMark]

Cyclone warning: lives at risk

FAILURE to prepare for cyclones, especially by southerners seeking a sea change, was putting lives at risk, a study warns.

The cyclone season has begun and Queensland's weather bureau is forecasting between three and six cyclones off northern Australia, with a good chance one or two will cross the coast.

But a James Cook University Centre for Disaster Studies report says about a third of cyclone-susceptible households failed to secure their property.

Others were uninformed or confused about the terminology used during official warnings.

The problem was compounded by the number of people moving into cyclone-prone areas of Queensland from the south, the report says.

"Most people were not very clear on their understanding of what a cyclone warning is – what a cyclone watch is," the centre's head David King told ABC radio.

"We have a horrible feeling they might not respond properly or do the right thing."

Bureau of Meteorology director Jim Davidson warned it was only a matter of time before a severe cyclone struck a coastal community.

"The most important advice the bureau can give people is to be well informed of the dangers posed by tropical cyclones, understand the warning service, and be sensibly prepared," he said.

Cyclone Beni was the only cyclone to threaten towns last season but was downgraded to a tropical low before it crossed the coast.

It sparked heavy rains and flooding in the Rockhampton district.

Australia's eastern, northern and western coasts are exposed to cyclone risk from November to April, with January, February and March the most active months

[deb_in_nc]

A lot of people here in FL always say it won't come here. They're the ones who will be in deep trouble
when one does come.

Debbie

[vbhoutex]

Gee Mark, that sounds just like many here in the US!!! There are literally millions along our coasts who say "it won't happen here", or "it won't be as bad as they say" or "I'll deal with it when it gets closer". BAD CHOICES!!! IT CAN AND DOES HAPPEN IN EVERY AREA THAT HAS A THREAT FROM TROPICAL CYCLONES AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER. It may or may not be major, but there is always a RISK and we should ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE WORST AND HOPE FOR THE BEST!! I guess people WORLDWIDE just don't want to face the fact that they are not in control when it comes to MOTHER NATURE!!

[AussieMark]

Couldn't have said it better myself David.

[Josephine96]

Exactly.. we here in Central Florida have not had a direct hit from a hurricane since 1995. I think a lot of people are getting rather complacent around here..

[AussieMark]

Even this year Isabel really but the reality checking devices back into the public eye. Isabel was only a Category 1-2 Hurricane but caused tremendous damage. Some of those areas have not witnessed a fully fledged hurricane in decades.

Imagine if Isabel was Major....Most of the deaths that Isabel caused was due to the public not giving Isabel the respect she deserved. Hurricanes of all magnitudes kill people not just Category 3-5 Hurricanes.

[cycloneye]

Even tropical storms can kill people because of the flooding that happens and here in Puerto Rico we haved been affected by massive flooding events by tropical storms,TD'S and even slow moving tropical waves.

[Josephine96]

True about TS' can occasionally kill people too. I think Allison killed a few also.