Posted by JAC on 3/7/2009, 1:50 pm, in reply to "Cat 4"

IDQP0005 Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre Media: Transmitters serving the area between Bowen and Mackay are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the following warning. TOP PRIORITY TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 18 Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane Issued at 1:45am on Sunday the 8th of March 2009 A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Ayr to Gladstone. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Gladstone to Hervey Bay. VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, ELEVATED SEA LEVELS and LARGE WAVES are likely to impact on the Whitsunday Islands during Sunday morning. Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 5 CYCLONE, is located off the north Queensland coast and at 1:00 am EST was estimated to be 155 kilometres northeast of Hayman Is and 305 kilometres east of Townsville, moving southeast at 18 kilometres per hour. Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a very significant threat to coastal and island communities about the central Queensland coast. The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours. Damaging wind gusts may affect coastal and island communities between Ayr and Gladstone during the next 24 hours. Destructive winds are expected to affect exposed coastal and island communities between Bowen and Shoalwater Bay during the next 24 hours. Damaging winds are not expected about coastal and island communities between Gladstone and Hervey Bay within 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours. As the cyclone moves to the southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours. Areas of heavy rainfall may cause flooding in some coastal streams and rivers between Bowen and Rockhampton during the next 24 hours. Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 1:00 am EST: .Centre located near...... 18.9 degrees South 149.7 degrees East .Location accuracy........ within 28 kilometres .Recent movement.......... towards the southeast at 18 kilometres per hour .Wind gusts near centre... 295 kilometres per hour .Severity category........ 5 .Central pressure......... 927 hectoPascals People between Ayr and Gladstone should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property. People between Gladstone and Hervey Bay should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service. The next advice will be issued by 5:00 am EST Sunday 08 March.