Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Apr 06 - 09:16 AM

Many social and service clubs have been collecting and are starting to hand their amounts in - the total today exceeded AUD$17 Million.

Monica will be at least Cat 3 and hit about 600 Km north of Innisfail (lots of rain expected - houses are being retarped) tomorrow morning AEST. Many people in Innisfail are jumpy.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 09:13 AM

Over AUD$16 Million collected so far, basic water, power, sanitation connected to most places capable of being habitable now apparently, but whole place (many jobs too) still seriously trashed. Tourist facilities are apparently still mostly functional if you want to head that way, and the economy there would welcome that.

However, Cyclone Monica (currently level 1 but expected to rapidly intensify - possibly as strong as Larry by time it hits coast) is currently in the Coral Sea, but fairly well north of devastated area at moment. They will still cop rain from it though.

Monica... still potentially dangerous, I see... ;-)

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Mar 06 - 04:10 AM

1800 numbers are toll free numbers, so are unlikely to be accessable overseas.

sandra

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: gnu
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 09:35 AM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: JennyO
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 09:02 AM

Information here: Hotline numbers

The number for credit card donations to the Queensland Government's disaster relief fund is 1800 150 411.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 07:42 PM

There's a 1 800 number that I can't remember. All Aussie Banks are accepting donations over the counter, and channelling them. Perhaps another Aussie has the info right now.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: gnu
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 10:18 AM

Just Larried.... that's the spirit.

Any addresses, whatever, for donations to the Relief Fund?

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 05:01 AM

If only once could be so wrong about another country, but alas, I Really Am Quite sure it won't happen... sigh...


Well, Peter Cosgrove has given hope that things will soon be fixed to the people of the area due to the enormous respect awarded him, especially due to Timor, et al, maybe such an idea could be useful in America too. He was careful to not step on any toes, and was full of praise for the work already done. The Mayor however was a little peeved as he only found out about it on the news...

Wati is well away from the coast, and unlikely to do much more than send a little rain this way, but not enough to fill the dams in SE Qld unfortunately.

After 4 days after the Larry struck, the Relief Fund stands at around $6.5 million - not bas for a little country.

Power is being progressively restored. It will take months to get the place restored, so I will probably not be making many more posts for the benefit of our overseas friends.

One picture showed someone who decided they needed a laugh - they had put up a sigh that said "Just Larried" on their wrecked home.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 10:43 PM

Apologies. 7 were missing in Hawaii. My local TV station reported 7000 dead. Hope this is not another premonition.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 07:17 PM

Update:

Retired General Peter Cosgrove has been put in charge of the process in North Queensland. A good politically sensitive move, as he was in charge of previous such efforts, and is well respected.

The State Premier has been there for a few days and personally felt the anger of people who have lost everything and have to queue for 2 days to get cash to buy food. His response was to ensure that the single site for such was expanded to a few more the next day.

The total area seriously affected is approx half the size of Tasmania - does anybody know a comparable size for Katrina?

There is still heavy disruption to movement, bridges out, flooding and massive amount of large trees on roads preventing trucks getting in. The Army got in, but they use equipment designed to cope... :-)
after all if the army can't go anywhere it wants or needs to in inhospitable terrain, it's not much of a combat force!

Still serious disruption to power, phones, water and sewage, but the fears for epidemics are abating as the situation is being controlled. Hercules and other military planes are being used to fly in bottled water and basic food supplies and tents. Banks and Chemists are operating manually by gaslight. Supermarkets are open again, with what supplies they have - a strong argument against 'just in time' supply logistics!

At the moment, Australians are working on 'charity begins at home', I'm afraid - it will take up to 18 months before the agricultural industry recovers and all the workers are able to have jobs again. Much labour was from backpackers, who now are stranded in the area due to the roads being out. They and their money won't be back for best part of a year, when the banana trees start to reach harvest stage.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 09:14 AM

But 7000+ are dead in Hawaii and it is getting very little coverage.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: GUEST,ian Hervey Bay
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 09:10 AM

ithas been reported in local media and television that another cyclone is also heading our way.
www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld.cyclone
www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au
I was suprised that many local and international visitor want to travel north from Hervey Bay / Fraser Island Queensland Australia.
I would suggest that may be better to stay safe and stay south of the Cyclone area,
I am local resident of Hervey Bay and spoke to many visitors seem to indcate that thay want to contiune travel north.
@ the time of sending this E-mail weather report indcated on the Bruce high way in this are 1.5 meter water over the road,
And has had to 8 meter water over the road,
Thier also warings about Crockdial that have been dislodged from thier normal habitat.
Wait and stay safe and stay south for time being,
Also if you get in to trouble ,makes it more diffcult for local Authoritys to cope with the situration,
Australia Armed forces are in this area as well and has been declarned natural disaster area.
It has been reported that food supplies are low owning to no road acess to affected area.
And supplies have to be lifted in Australia goverment air craft,Also by sea.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: rich-joy
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 04:25 AM

oh, that's great to hear you're at least OK, Gecko!
(will you be Top-Halfing this year, then?)

Zany Mouse, I think the Poms are from the Townsville area - apparently "just" lots of rain and some wind there, as it was further south than Innisfail/Babinda/Mission Beach hit area ...


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: GUEST,gecko
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 10:43 PM

Thanks for your messages and yes, we did survive what was a pretty severe cyclone - even though we were nearly 60kms from the centre. Lots of house damage here in Cairns mainly involving big old trees hitting houses etc and blocking roads, but just down the way from me a house had it's roof ripped off. I believe there are other houses in Cairns similarly damaged but I hate to think what would have happened if we had suffered the centre of the cyclone - much loss of life for sure and devastation almost on the scale of 'Tracy' which flattened Darwin in the 70's. It was a very frightening experience and I had a birds eye view as we are high up with extensive views. I watched the palm trees bend almost double and there was a great deal of stuff flying about even though we had prepared for Larry by removing everything in our yards that could be moved. The mess after has to be seen to be believed and clearing up is a big chore.

My heart goes out to the poor buggers in Innisfail etc who have lost everything - it puts our paltry travails into perspective somewhat.

I've still got no power - there are no street lights and traffic lights are mostly out - I hope power has been restored by the time I get back home from work. The sound of generators is everywhere and they were as rare as hen's teeth after the buying frenzy on Monday afternoon/Tuesday.

YIU
gecko

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 06:49 PM

There was one of those large domes of that type built up the North Coast a bit some years ago. It eventually ended up as a car sales yard. Not sure whether it was eventually demolished.

I have heard that over AUD$1 billion damage around just Innisfail occurred - most of the agricultural industry was wiped out. Sugar, bananas, pawpaw, avocado for starters will be in short supply for a year (thousands of jobs gone too). Fire and hail damage insurance they mostly had, but not wind damage. Smaller banana trees up to a certain size were called 'cyclone proof' - but that's only up to about Cat 3.

Babinda and Mission Beach and several other places also took severe damage.

A Brigadier General has been sent in with access to 'everything the Army, Navy and Air Force has' and given orders to 'do whatever is necessary'. Mobile Kitchens, water purification plants, tents, beds, 5000 meals (from Qantas), the lot. The guys have recent experience in the islands up north from the Tsunami. Local butchers without power have been doing huge BBQs to use the meat instead of waste it - most people hadn't eaten for 24 hours.

There was some footage on the News about the cat that ended up 25 metres up a gum tree - nobody knows how. While they were trying to get her down, she fell the 25 metres, but ran away.

Even George rang up and offered Johnny help. I'm sure that all up there are grateful for all thoughts and other assistance.

Wati is noe expected to dawdle around off shore for the moment, just bringing lots of rain.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 05:17 PM

Glad to hear that no one was killed and very few were injured. It will take a long time and plenty of money to repair the damage but that can be survived. I suggest they rebuild in concrete. It does a better job in high winds.

A friend has an idea for the Pacific islands. He wants to build concrete domes with large openings on the ground floor. In a typhoon the families can go up to the second floor and let the waters run through the ground floor. The dome can stand any amount of wind. They are built using an inflated form with concrete shot on from the inside.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Hollowfox
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 08:56 PM

I've got a Purebred Midweatern $#!@-reduction candle series going for you folks up here in Ohio (last local major tornado 1985). May all go well for you.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Stewie
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 07:33 PM

R-J, Gecko et alia, I spoke to Ted and Carolynne this morning. They sustained only minor property damage such as the demolition of Ted's tool shed, but house and office okay. At the moment, they are stranded on their mountain top waiting for the Army to come and clear fallen trees from their access 'road'.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 06:42 PM

It seems definite now that there is no loss of life, at least none has been reported so far. If you haven't been contacted, they may have too many things on their mind at moment, like shelter, food, water, sewage, power - severe infrastructure damage including mobile phone towers and even some land lines and exchange equipt and of course power poles has occurred.

Incidentally, more people in Aus die from subsequent flooding than actual cyclone. There was little flooding this time.

Some power has been restored, but there are still over 80,000 homes without power. Some power poles look more like knitting needles with tree bits woven into the lines.

I am puzzled by the "One lawmaker estimated lost revenues" bit - our 'lawmakers' are politicians, and they don't have a clue to estimating damage (even what THEY do!)...

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 05:58 PM

Are the Poms from Oz from this area? I've been trying to find their address but can't see it at the moment.

Keep safe all and good luck with the clean-up.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 05:51 PM

Just saw some live film on TV. Lots of damage and flooding but no loss of life. The military is on its way to help with the clean-up.
Good luck all.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 05:38 PM

It hit, and it hit hard. Here is one story.

SRS

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 02:03 PM

I'm glad to see that they report no loss of life but the long cleanup and resorting of one's life is daunting, to say the least. (As our beloved preznit said from the air when viewing the destruction wrought by Katrina, "It is devastating. It must be doubly devastating on the ground.") Duh.

Forgive our inadequate - but heartfelt - attempts to put ourselves in your shoes.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 01:58 PM

Spoke too soon, carrying on a lifelong skill of premature postulation. Page 16 of today's UK Daily Torygraph devotes 2.5 column inches to the cyclone.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Kaleea
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 01:27 PM

I was shocked when I saw on TV yesterday that a cyclone hit! Growing up in Oklahoma & saw many with my own two eyes, & what they could do--but the devastation of one coming off the ocean is too scary to imagine. We are praying for you!

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 12:23 PM

My thoughts are with the affected folks in Oz. Been through two hurricanes in the last 18 months myself and can tell you first-hand how they can seriously rearrange one's life. Please be careful in the aftermath. More people are usually injured doing cleanup and damage repair than by the storm itself.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 10:50 AM

Haven't picked anything up on Pommie media about this yet, hopefully we won't, as that will probably be precipitated by loss of life.

Hang on to yer hats!

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: rich-joy
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 08:21 AM

good stuff, Tone.
still waiting for news of 'catter Ted & Carolynne, of Babinda (apparently they were going to shelter in a neighbour's stronger house) ...

but so far, so good!


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 07:38 AM

Just had a call from Keryn & Tom in Mission Beach - they're OK, a bit of water inside and some trees down. Lots of wind noise and groaning of roof bolts, but no broken glass & enough in the cupboard to make candle-cooked meals. Amazingly little alcohol was consumed - reportedly.

And Jeff in Townsville reports a 'bit of wind'.

All well so far.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 07:01 AM

Sorry, it's 'WATI' - will be cat 3 by the time it reaches The Coral Sea - the models can't see further ahead than that.

The military is coming in from the big base at Townsville. The 'pigs' (F111s) have been sent in to do their special photo recon stuff.

Mission Beach was the hit point on shore - apparently relatively little damage to the newer houses built to the new cyclone codes. The Tidal Swell didn't happen, as it hit about 6:30 am (it was moving faster than previous ones) and the tide was about 10:30am. Also the localised flooding was mostly not as severe as expected because again, of the forward speed, less rain fell than was expected.

About a dozen big (semi-trailer size) portable generators have been dispatched from Brisbane, but it was not known at that time how they would get there, if roads were usable, or if they could go by rail.

I wonder if the rest of the world is hearing very much about this, as apparently no loss of life reported yet. We here certainly heard non-stop about Katrina.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 03:56 AM

here 'tis
................

Hey Rain!


Rain in my hair, rain in my face - muddy old Innisvale's a muddy wet place, hey rain, hey rain,
Hey Rain, rain coming down on the cane,
On the roofs of the town.

Bloke from the west nearly died of fright 'cause the river rose thirty-five feet last night, hey rain, hey rain
Hey Rain, rain coming down on the cane,
On the roofs of the town.

Johnson River crocodile living in me fridge, and a bloody great tree on the Jubilee Bridge, hey rain, hey rain,
Hey Rain, rain coming down on the cane,
On the roofs of the town.

Rain in my beer, rain in my grub, and they've just fitted anchors to the Garradunga Pub, hey rain, hey rain,
Hey Rain, rain coming down on the cane,
On the roofs of the town.

Wet season skies have sprung a leak from Flying Fish point to the Millstream Creek, hey rain, hey rain,
Hey Rain, rain coming down on the cane,
On the roofs of the town.

Wet season sky so black and big, and an old flying fox in a Moreton Bay fig, hey rain, hey rain,
Hey Rain, rain coming down on the cane,
On the roofs of the town.

It's the worst wet season we've ever had; I'd swim down to Tully - but it's just as bloody bad, hey rain, hey rain,Hey Rain, rain coming down on the cane,
On the roofs of the town.

by Bill Scott.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 11:54 PM

OK! it's prety mucky too, but I meant 'MUSIC FORUM'!!!

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 11:51 PM

Well, latest news I have is Innisfail devastated, Mayor says on fist quick look during eye, that almost evey house he could see had some damage. All precautions were taken, and people did the sensible things, so while some minor injuries reported, no word yet of anything more serious. 50,000 + homes without power.

Around Innisfail there is a lot small hamlets, roads and some communications are cut. There is extensive damage to the farming community - bananas and sugar cane may have no harvest. One farmer phoned to say that his old Queenslander home was OK, but his Cat 5 rated cyclone proof steel shed vanished.

Worse than Tracy apparently, but because Tracy moved at 3-5 km/hr it battered Darwin much more than Larry hit Innisfail, which sped thru at 25-30 km/hr. Also since 1974, the cyclone ratings of all new structures have been increased.

Forecast storm surge 2-4 metres, and flooding in coastal streams and rivers expected. There's usually some idiot testing the gene pool who tries to cross a flooded bridge.

Someone know the song 'Rain' (about Innisfail area - this IS a muci forum!) by Bill Scott?

BTW out near Fiji, but not yet serious is a new one - Wattie!

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Peace
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 10:27 PM

Stolichnaya (vodka).

Subject: RE: BS: cyclone hits OZ ...are all catters ok?
From: open mike
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 10:01 PM

my geography of down under is
standing on its head--i was just
reading the by-line on the news report,
and don't know the lay of the land very well,
sorry for the mix up. hope all are safe.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: open mike
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 09:59 PM

what's 'Stolly' ?

Subject: RE: BS: cyclone hits OZ ...are all catters ok?
From: JennyO
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 09:23 PM

No Open Mike - it says Sydney Australia probably cos that's where the news story originated. Sydney is down south, on the east coast, and the cyclone was way up north. We don't get cyclones down here. Funnily enough though, we did get a cool change blow in last night, which sorta seemed in sympathy with the cyclone. Hope those catters up there are all right!

Jenny (high and dry in Sydney)

Subject: RE: BS: cyclone hits OZ ...are all catters ok?
From: open mike
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 09:07 PM

centered in Sydney area, apparently.

Subject: RE: BS: cyclone hits OZ ...are all catters ok?
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 08:59 PM

Hi Mike - see thread on Cyclone Larry further down - Gecko, she's in Cairns and Ted, he's around the Babinda area, just North of the critical Innisfail where the category 5 crossed the coast, so fingers crossed that all is well with him ... both of them really - Cyclones are no picnic wherever you are!


Cheers! R-J

Subject: BS: cyclone hits OZ ...are all catters ok?
From: open mike
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 08:50 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060320/ap_on_re_au_an/australia_cyclone

---

Messages from 2 threads combined.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 06:18 PM

Hi Gecko - sure do hope you're OK - hey, Ted & Carolyn don't live on a boat do they????????? (for some reason I had that impression last time we spoke ...)
Paul's nephew, not long out from the Yookay, is in the west at Normanton, on a station and where Larry is now headed - but that's better than where he was just a short while back - in a caravan park in Tully!!!!!


The wind speeds have lessened now that Larry has crossed the coast, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous to be exposed in any way ...


Our thoughts are with you all,
R-J & P-M

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 05:36 PM

The big choppers are currently hiding on the ground at Hughenden, ready to move in when possible. Apparently is is now easily Cat 5.

It is expected t blow itself out over land, but if it reaches the Gulf, it could rekindle.

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 05:30 PM

Yeah, a few banjos & accordions...

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 03:46 PM

Stay safe, everybody and may any loss be slight.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 10:01 AM

Here's a tracking map and a satellite image.

Everybody stay safe and if you're in the strike zone, please check in when you can - post-Larry, and in gecko's case, prolly be post-taking something for the hangover.

Subject: RE: BS: Cyclone Larry in Northern Queensland
From: gecko
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 08:46 AM

Just reporting in that it's 11.30pm and deathly quiet and still here in Cairns at the moment. I've sat through a few cyclones before both here and in Darwin but never one of this intensity, and I don't mind admitting - I'm scared!

Good wishes to the Brant/Randall and the Burns families who live about 100km's further south and right in 'Larry's' firing line if the latest report from the Bureau of Meteorology is to be believed.

This might be a good time to break out the emergency 'Stolly' hidden at the back of the freezer for a rainy day!

YIU

gecko

Subject: RE: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 08:09 AM

ah ... got fooled by that Tab button again!

I was going to add that I should've said "gusting UP TO 280kph" which is a category 4 - over 280 kph is category 5 - but either way, it ain't nice ...



Cheers! R-J

Subject: BS: Cyclone Larry in Northern Queensland
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 07:57 AM

Cyclone Larry has rapidly grown to Category 4 in a couple of days while racing at a higher than normal travel speed across the Ocean, and may even reach Category 5 before it hits the coast. Strongest, biggest one here for 30 years. It's probably as big as Katrina, but the population is less, and most of the islands and coast has been evacuated already, so loss of life is expected to be low, and due to sparsity of settlement, damage may be less.

Subject: Cyclone Larry heads for Queensland
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 07:50 AM

Seems there's a nasty category 4 cyclone ready to hit the North Queensland coast between Cairns and Townsville (centred at around Innisfail - as in the "Hey Rain" song), sometime in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Gusting at over 280kph I think at present ...

Our thoughts are with the folks up there - esp 'catter Ted and our many other folkie friends in the region.

Take care, mates.


R-J & P-M