Yasi update
Yasi crossed the coast around midnight. Worst affected communities are thought to be Mission Beach, Cardwell and Tully. Information is still filtering in but at this point there are no reports of death or serious injury - hopefully it will stay that way. Cairns and Townsville weren't hit as badly as feared, however Townsville is still dealing with high winds as the cyclone moves inland.
Yasi is now category 2 and weakening, thank goodness. 173 500 are without power. There's going to be a huge task ahead of people in the affected areas in terms of clean up.
Someone really needs to tell the ABC 24 newscaster it's 'Yahsi', not 'Yazzi'. *sigh*
Storm surges are the next big concern as the high tide comes in in the next couple of hours. I can hear the swell from my house, and it sounds pretty angry. I have heard that the surges may not be as high as anticipated as Yasi is weakening, so fingers crossed that's true.
The number to call for anyone concerned about friends or family in North QLD is 1300993191 (overseas +61 7 30556220).
... Egypt is looking pretty nasty with the news coming through overnight. Not good. Could be beginning to calm down, though? Reports coming through that the pro-government protesters have been dispersed. *F5*
Yasi is now category 2 and weakening, thank goodness. 173 500 are without power. There's going to be a huge task ahead of people in the affected areas in terms of clean up.
Someone really needs to tell the ABC 24 newscaster it's 'Yahsi', not 'Yazzi'. *sigh*
Storm surges are the next big concern as the high tide comes in in the next couple of hours. I can hear the swell from my house, and it sounds pretty angry. I have heard that the surges may not be as high as anticipated as Yasi is weakening, so fingers crossed that's true.
The number to call for anyone concerned about friends or family in North QLD is 1300993191 (overseas +61 7 30556220).
... Egypt is looking pretty nasty with the news coming through overnight. Not good. Could be beginning to calm down, though? Reports coming through that the pro-government protesters have been dispersed. *F5*