General Chat

I have been thinking about all the folk affected by this dreadful weather and can only hope things calm down soon and as many people as possible will be safe and sound. I just can't imagine how it must feel to have to cope through such disasters, there have been so many over the past few years with weather and war and all kinds of traumatic things, makes you wonder if there is a message coming through for things to change in some way, the way we all behave and treat each other and the lands we live in.

Lizx

I think the emergency services, the local governments and the general population of north Queensland should be very proud of themselves for the way they have all conducted themselves through this catastrophe. The recovery teams have already started going into the areas that have been hit badly and no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported. They're a tough lot in Queensland - bless them all.

Sue x

Did you see Annie where a couple of New Zealanders just purchased a cafe in Cairns two days ago?

Just because Oz hasn't been doing that well in the cricket stakes no need for it to be treated like it is....

It is quite mind boggling their weather, it goes from one extreme to the other.

A cyclone of that magnitude could wipe right through NZ without even touching the sides.

You always worry about the little animals as well at a time like this, there will probably be several that will lose their family pet which is quite horrific.
I know human life takes precedence and I do hope that everyone has found a safe haven to sit this one out.

Good luck Queenslanders!! You certainly need it.

Persie

So far there is no reports of any loss of life, which is really good news to hear. Lots of damage of course and it has been downgraded quite a bit since it hit land. It is still expected to go a fair way inland so lots more damage.

I saw some comparison photos of the cyclone should it have been in other countries: It would have covered the entire country of NZ. A scary thought indeed.

Thinking of everyone in northern QLD and hoping they are safe and unhurt.

Tell you what, you people down there must have upset somebody somewhere, because when it drops on you,it does it Big Time.first the Flooding now this lot. Best wishes to all of you and may there be no fatalities.**M**.

Oh I have friends Sheila and Harry in Townsville,,,,,Sheila M is a GenesR member!hope they and all residents keep safe.

Sending all my good wishes for those due to face this. May they all come through this safe x

That looks absolutely terrifying.

My best wishes to all those who are bracing themselves for it.... I hope you all stay safe x

Have a look at it on the weather radar if you can.

This monster is a quarter the size of our continent!

xxxxxx mick

It chills me to think of the wind travelling at nearly 300km p/hr - that's faster than cars zip around a race track! What hope does anyone have against a force like that? Well, we should know in about 7 hours from now.

I'm also thinking of people leaving behind their beloved pets as they aren't allowed to take them to evacuation centres or on the evacuation planes.

Sue

It is scary to think of a cyclone that bad and I agree that they are definitely better prepared than in the past.

Having lived in QLD myself I know what their weather can be like. I have family living just north of Brisbane so that won't be affected by it but I still worry for them.

Am crossing everything that everyone in and around Cairns will be safe and that no lives are lost. It is a good thing they started the evacuations early.

xxx

thinking of friends and relatives out there too x

The emergency services are better prepared for Yasi so hopefully there will be no fatalities. My thoughts are very much with my poor battered fellow Aussies in Queensland.

Sue x

I have friends out there to , i pray to god everyone will be safe x

Thinking of everyone in North Queensland right now particularly in the Cairns area.

The tropical cyclone Yasi has now been upgraded to a category 5 and winds expected up to 320kph.

Hoping that everyone can get away to safety in time. It is expected to hit the coast tonight. It is also expected to be worse than previous cyclones - Larry a few years ago and back in 1974 Cyclone Tracey which was aussies worst ever cyclone up to now. So to be worse than those is pretty bad.