Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 1:55pm EST on Saturday the 20th of March 2010
A Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal areas from Cardwell to Yeppoon and
inland including Charters Towers and Clermont.
A Cyclone WATCH is current for areas extending further inland of the warning
area.
At 1:00 pm EST Tropical Cyclone Ului, Category 2 was estimated to be
365 kilometres east northeast of Mackay and
580 kilometres east of Townsville and
moving west southwest at 27 kilometres per hour.
The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Ayr and Mackay early Sunday,
possibly re-intensifying to a Category 3 system before landfall. The cyclone is
then expected to weaken inland later on Sunday.
VERY DESTRUCTIVE wind gusts to 170 km/hr near the cyclone centre may affect
coastal and island communities in the threatened area early Sunday.
DAMAGING winds are expected to develop between Cardwell and Yeppoon later today,
then extend to adjacent inland parts on Sunday.
TIDES between Bowen and St Lawrence may rise to just above the normal high tide
mark overnight with very rough seas and dangerous conditions along the
foreshore.
HEAVY RAINFALL and flooding are likely to develop about coastal and adjacent
inland areas between Bowen and St Lawrence early Sunday.
DANGEROUS SURF conditions are expected to continue about exposed beaches south
of the cyclone until later on Sunday. A separate Severe Weather Warning is
current for these conditions.
People between Cardwell and Yeppoon and inland including Charters Towers and
Clermont should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a
safe place.
- Boats and outside property should be secured before nightfall.
People further inland of the warning area 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 Tropical Cyclone Ului at 1:00 pm EST:
.Centre located near...... 19.7 degrees South 152.3 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 35 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 27 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 155 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 2
.Central pressure......... 978 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 5:00 pm EST Saturday 20 March.
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.
