Queensland braces for Cyclone Ului

[depakid]

A disaster zone has been declared for large stretches of Queensland's coast, with authorities warning Cyclone Ului will bring destructive wind gusts of more than 200km/h.

The tropical cyclone, which could intensify into a category three, is expected to cross the coast near Airlie Beach after midnight (AEST) bringing dangerous winds and heavy rain to the central and northern coast.

More than 150 State Emergency Service volunteers have been put on alert while Queensland Fire and Rescue response teams are in place in threatened areas. Police have imposed a 9pm (local time) curfew on businesses in Airlie Beach while hotel guests in the tourism hub are being asked to sign waivers ahead of Ului's arrival.

At 9pm, Ului was located 183km east of Mackay and was moving south west at nearly 30km/h. It is expected to weaken to a category two cyclone as it moves inland but forecasters have predicted rainfall of up to 300mm in some areas.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh today issued disaster declarations for the Townsville, Burdekin, Whitsunday, Charters Towers, Mackay, Isaac, Rockhampton and Central Highlands local government areas.

"The declaration gives Emergency Services agencies the power of mandatory evacuations if required," she said. The Bureau of Meteorology warned residents not to venture outside during the eye of the cyclone, which is expected to last for up to an hour in some areas.

More: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/brace-yourself-queensland-here-comes-cyclone-ului/story-e6frf7jx-1225843259915

[Systematic Chaos]

1. They really think this can go from a tropical storm to a Cat 3 that quickly?

I know these things happen regularly, but as close as it already is to land, I hope and pray their predictions are wrong. :(

[ensho]

2. wishing them well

nt

[morningglory]

3. Floridian here. The storms bring a lot of rain. We would be a desert without

the hurricanes. Unfortunately the damage can be very bad. Hope the Aussies hold on to something and stay safe.