Worth watching if you are on the East Coast and particularlyQueensland
Rob Driver said
11:13 AM Mar 9, 2020
The pics below are projected wind forecasts for a weather pattern that is worth keeping a serious eye on during the next week.
And later in the week.
Awnings and annexes may be at risk at there is a chance that it could turn into a cyclone and with an unpredictable path it could cross the coast although at this reported prediction is is tracking south east toward NZ.
Looking at the first pic under the LL and next to the 2 I'm sure I saw Dorothy holding onto the number 2
If that comes ashore hold on everyone and keep safe.
Rob Driver said
01:30 PM Mar 9, 2020
Hi Dougwe,
In any case of what happens the forecast is for heavy rains up and down the coast, which is understandable considering the depression.
Regards
Angie
iana said
04:51 PM Mar 9, 2020
Guess where we are !!!!!!
It sounds exciting. What with Fires, floods, Viruses an now Cyclones, never a dull moment.
-- Edited by iana on Monday 9th of March 2020 04:53:56 PM
Cupie said
08:58 PM Mar 9, 2020
iana wrote:
Guess where we are !!!!!!
It sounds exciting. What with Fires, floods, Viruses an now Cyclones, never a dull moment.
-- Edited by iana on Monday 9th of March 2020 04:53:56 PM
You omitted the share market crash!
It has been drizzling rain all day here in Brisvegas & cold enough to pull out the trackies.
Tanks are full & it looks like its time to put in the winter veges. Might be self sufficient in veges over the onset of the Cono panic. Got enough toilet paper & hundreds of paperbacks as a back up.
Do they get cyclones in NZ?
The world is in a hell of a mess ... or is it just social media?
iana said
10:59 PM Mar 9, 2020
Yes they do Cupie, I was in Wellington when two cyclones met, producing wind gusts of 269km/h it was cyclone Giselle, and happened on April 6, 1968. I watched a car blown sideways across the road, no-one inside, and saw the destruction of buildings at the airport. It was an exciting event, except for those aboard the inter island ferry Wahine, blown on the rocks and people lost their lives.
Warren-Pat_01 said
10:50 PM Mar 10, 2020
It's just a "sea breeze!" How else do we "Troppos" get rain?
Category one is ok, two is getting a bit rough, three & above = it's look out!! Our house was built to Cat 1 standards, withstood the edge of Yasi (cat 2) ok but sustained some minor damage in the tornado in 2015.
Friends have been blaming us for all the rain that has fallen in Townsville (have been home for nearly three weeks) & it has rained on & off in that time. We can certainly do without the excitement we had in SE Victoria, Canberra & Toowoomba!!
Besides we need something to keep all of "The Mexicans" out of the state so we Qlders can have some time alone without all the nomads choking the roads, caravan parks, seaside parks!
Hopefully it will follow the route predicted by the BOM & give us some more rain (my back lawn is a squelchy quagmire) without the wind!
Remember - it's only those on the southern side that get the rain - those on the north get HOT, HOT winds!
Rob Driver said
08:45 AM Mar 11, 2020
PWarren-Pat_01 wrote:
It's just a "sea breeze!" How else do we "Troppos" get rain?
Category one is ok, two is getting a bit rough, three & above = it's look out!! Our house was built to Cat 1 standards, withstood the edge of Yasi (cat 2) ok but sustained some minor damage in the tornado in 2015.
Friends have been blaming us for all the rain that has fallen in Townsville (have been home for nearly three weeks) & it has rained on & off in that time. We can certainly do without the excitement we had in SE Victoria, Canberra & Toowoomba!!
Besides we need something to keep all of "The Mexicans" out of the state so we Qlders can have some time alone without all the nomads choking the roads, caravan parks, seaside parks!
Hopefully it will follow the route predicted by the BOM & give us some more rain (my back lawn is a squelchy quagmire) without the wind!
Remember - it's only those on the southern side that get the rain - those on the north get HOT, HOT winds!
I totally agree about the need for rain and the ability for these tropical lows to provide plenty of it at times.
My concern for the weather up there is because we have a daughter who lives in FNQ.
My memory goes back three odd years when Debbie was developing and the locals were playing it down with unfounded claims of itll be right mate, and it will go round us, it is only a sea breeze, and you southerners worry too much etc.
She was then in Bowen and she became very nervous as time went on and the tropical low increased in intensity. Her worries were compounded when the Police came to the park she was staying in and ordered them to pack up and to move.
Unfortunately by this time of official warning the roads were flooding and getting out was extremely difficult. Fortunately she was assisted by a local who provided a very secure shed for her and her partner to store their van. They are forever grateful to that man. They were not holidaying but were employed in the area.
Many locals actually rely on the influx of Mexicans as you call them to boost business earnings and provide a better economy for the regions. So all is not bad in that regard.
My first post was directed more toward any of us travellers that are in the area and need to heed the weather conditions and prepare should any of them need to retreat from the coast. At best if they dont have to move they have an opportunity to secure their vans and equipment against strong winds and rain.
When it is all over and the weather settles in May, rest assured, the Mexicans will march northward..
Regards
Angie
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Wednesday 11th of March 2020 08:46:11 AM
Iva Biggen said
09:41 AM Mar 11, 2020
Yes have to agree, heed warnings and be ready to move if caravanning or camping.
The Bruce Highway is terrible and the Qld Govt should be ashamed of its design and condition.
I have spent a bit of time on the coast in N Q and what I have noticed is that as these tropical depressions form and move south or worse toward the coast, the Bruce floods in the areas in the north and then worsen as the weather dumps more rain.
Last time I was in Bowen you could not go north or south due to road closures in both directions although now I believe they have raised the highway just north of the town. Probably still to no advantage because it still floods at Gumlu / Guthalungra and further up at Giru.
Rain further south blocks the highway and you cant even get to the Proserpine Airport which services the entire area including the Whitsundays.
Watch the weather particularly during summer if in this area.
Hi Angie,
We went through our first (in Qld) in 1988 (TC Charlie). We took shelter in what we assumed was the strongest part of the house - the stairwell but luckily it skirted Townsville & came in at Alva Beach (near Ayr).
The next was TC Aivu - made Charlie look like a sea breeze!
All houses built in the 80s onwards are built to withstand cyclones (one reason why it costs more to build a house here) - houses built in the last ten years are far stronger than ours.
Tell your daughter to bunker down in the strongest part of her house/unit - if the storm is heading her way. Have some of that Clear Selleys silicon on hand (it can be used on wet surfaces). We had to seal under our door frames to the floor to prevent the rain from blowing in.
Charlie was the one that was coming, then went out to sea, then disappeared, then was coming in! Often they are very unpredictable although the last batch have followed the predictions.
The only issue I had when Yasi came knocking was water blowing in under the end windows & keeping the towels wrung out! I gave up at 2m & went to sleep. I was home by myself & following instructions from Pat (in Toowoomba). "Take the photo albums downstairs, etc". The worst bit was being without power (we have underground lines) for just over two days. The aerial lines further away feeding the underground system failed.
And while you "Southerners" enjoy your trips to "Paradise" - NQ & FNQ, NT & the Kimberly in your winter, look out for a white D-Max towing a Jayco Discovery poptop heading in the opposite direction! Two years ago, I only saw two vans heading south "against the flow" - us & someone who stopped at Rocky! We're doing the usual - Toowoomba, Canberra, Warrnambool run again. May in Warrnambool is definitely not Warm-anbool!!
In case anyone has wondered as to how serious I was when I wrote my bit last night - I do have a warped sense of humour & was having difficulty seeing as I had my first cataract op yesterday (#2 is on for tomorrow).
Regarding your safety, the only decent advice that has come from our "wonderful" State Govt is "IF IT'S FLOODED, FORGET IT!"
And if they haven't done anything yet (although the pollies are starting to get nervous as they know they'll be booted out in the election in October), DO NOT leave any of your possessions unlocked or it will be stolen, wrecked, burnt, etc. Townsville is the "Kiddy Crim Capital" now but Mackay & Cairns aren't far behind. Kids aged 8-17 years have no qualms about breaking in & borrowing keys, cars, wallets, Tech gear, etc. And they do not sleep at night when most of us do.
PS - if anyone wants a quagmire - you can have my yard! Had some rain this morning, none since - 75mm so far this month.
Cupie said
09:03 PM Mar 11, 2020
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Hi Angie, We went through our first (in Qld) in 1988 (TC Charlie). We took shelter in what we assumed was the strongest part of the house - the stairwell but luckily it skirted Townsville & came in at Alva Beach (near Ayr).
The next was TC Aivu - made Charlie look like a sea breeze!
All houses built in the 80s onwards are built to withstand cyclones (one reason why it costs more to build a house here) - houses built in the last ten years are far stronger than ours.
Tell your daughter to bunker down in the strongest part of her house/unit - if the storm is heading her way. Have some of that Clear Selleys silicon on hand (it can be used on wet surfaces). We had to seal under our door frames to the floor to prevent the rain from blowing in. Charlie was the one that was coming, then went out to sea, then disappeared, then was coming in! Often they are very unpredictable although the last batch have followed the predictions.
The only issue I had when Yasi came knocking was water blowing in under the end windows & keeping the towels wrung out! I gave up at 2m & went to sleep. I was home by myself & following instructions from Pat (in Toowoomba). "Take the photo albums downstairs, etc". The worst bit was being without power (we have underground lines) for just over two days. The aerial lines further away feeding the underground system failed.
And while you "Southerners" enjoy your trips to "Paradise" - NQ & FNQ, NT & the Kimberly in your winter, look out for a white D-Max towing a Jayco Discovery poptop heading in the opposite direction! Two years ago, I only saw two vans heading south "against the flow" - us & someone who stopped at Rocky! We're doing the usual - Toowoomba, Canberra, Warrnambool run again. May in Warrnambool is definitely not Warm-anbool!!
In case anyone has wondered as to how serious I was when I wrote my bit last night - I do have a warped sense of humour & was having difficulty seeing as I had my first cataract op yesterday (#2 is on for tomorrow).
Regarding your safety, the only decent advice that has come from our "wonderful" State Govt is "IF IT'S FLOODED, FORGET IT!"
And if they haven't done anything yet (although the pollies are starting to get nervous as they know they'll be booted out in the election in October), DO NOT leave any of your possessions unlocked or it will be stolen, wrecked, burnt, etc. Townsville is the "Kiddy Crim Capital" now but Mackay & Cairns aren't far behind. Kids aged 8-17 years have no qualms about breaking in & borrowing keys, cars, wallets, Tech gear, etc. And they do not sleep at night when most of us do.
PS - if anyone wants a quagmire - you can have my yard! Had some rain this morning, none since - 75mm so far this month.
I've not experienced a cyclone but spent 3 months cleaning up after Tracey in Darwin. Unbelievable damage.
We love Warrnambool. I reckon that I could live there maybe not in the deep winter & wind.
My Opthalmologist made me wait 1 month in between Cataract operations. Best operation ever, instant results. Good luck with yours.
We seem to be about to experience the Cyclone season.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 11th of March 2020 09:03:53 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 12th of March 2020 09:44:00 AM
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:10 AM Mar 12, 2020
Hi Cupid,
The reason Darwin was such a mess after Tracey was the way houses were built in those days. "Jerry built" was a common term. I was in Darwin (worked at Radio Australia on Cox Peninsula) from 1969 to late '72.
Whole suburbs were built in 6 weeks, NTA (NT Administration) houses - timber frames were spread out to minimise wood use (or perhaps to build another house for free?). Asbestos sheets probably held them together!
Roofs were nailed on, perhaps they thought this was adequate. Women could see through the floor boards to what the hubby, kids were doing downstairs! Brick houses were also built on the cheap (but cost heaps), with cement work looking good on the outside of the bricks but only minimal cement where it mattered. I was drilling a brick to add a masonry anchor at work. The brick disappeared on to the table in the office next door!
Contractors were ripping off the government left, right & centre.
So yes Tracey & Althea (Townsville) & many others certainly changed building codes for the better, with houses more resilient, thanks to the testing station at JCU.
I too would have had the ops spaced out but as we're heading south at/after Easter, the jobs are being pushed through. All ok so far.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:13 AM Mar 12, 2020
Sorry - my pad does an auto correct! I corrected your name once but it seems I've been over ruled!!
Rob Driver said
09:46 AM Mar 12, 2020
Hi Warren,
Some good advice offered above although I dont think you would convince me to go further south in the Aussie winter.
We try to follow the warmer weather and at the same time visit family and friends. I am sure the friends and family that live in the southern areas fully understand our motives.
My husband Rob and my brother had to go Darwin at the end of January after Cyclone Tracy and they say that the damage there was unbelievable. I remember viewing the photos they had from the area after the TC event
When we travelled north to our daughter after Debbie, Rob was amazed of the small amounts of damage in relative comparison to Darwin and Tracy. All the buildings are definitely better than many years ago.Thank goodness.
I wish you well with your operations on your eyes and trust all will be a lot better after the procedures.
Regards
Angie
Cupie said
10:42 AM Mar 12, 2020
bentaxlebabe wrote:
Hi Warren,
Some good advice offered above although I dont think you would convince me to go further south in the Aussie winter.
We try to follow the warmer weather and at the same time visit family and friends. I am sure the friends and family that live in the southern areas fully understand our motives.
My husband Rob and my brother had to go Darwin at the end of January after Cyclone Tracy and they say that the damage there was unbelievable. I remember viewing the photos they had from the area after the TC event
When we travelled north to our daughter after Debbie, Rob was amazed of the small amounts of damage in relative comparison to Darwin and Tracy. All the buildings are definitely better than many years ago.Thank goodness.
I wish you well with your operations on your eyes and trust all will be a lot better after the procedures.
Regards
Angie
Yes Angie, when I was there, there were streets/suburbs of just concrete stumps and a floor left. Nothing else, except things like the twisted railway iron light pole beside the road out near (I think) Cassurina School.
Rob Driver said
10:55 AM Mar 12, 2020
Hi Cupie,
Somewhere in amongst stored photos that I havent filed on Picscanner there are Robs pics illustrating exactly your description.
It must have been awful at the time for all those people facing a massive rebuild.
I felt so sorry for the families with young children who basically lost everything and at Christmas as well which would be worse.
Having to build today to a standard that withstands the ravages of most cyclones is a small price to pay in the overall scheme of things.
I could only imagine what a strong cyclone may do to a caravan if not suitably stored and secured.
Regards
Angie
Warren-Pat_01 said
02:49 PM Mar 12, 2020
Hi Angie, Cupie,
We don't travel south, particularly in winter out of choice. Our children left home many moons ago - son to Canberra, daughter to Warrnambool. I don't get on well in the cold & after moving here with work some 32.5 years ago, we've looked at living near our families. But there are road blocks - Canberra, house prices are prohibitive; Warrnambool is equally very cold in winter.
For any medical emergency, we'd have to commute to either Geelong or Melbourne whereas everything is here in Townsville, with a bus stop less than 100m away. And within a day, we can be anywhere in Australia by plane, train. Entertainment is not lacking either with several talented groups operating here.
So we put up with the weather here - whether perfect or foul. The last cyclone to wreck Townsville was Althea, we've had a number of close shaves as well as a few that have stopped just a bit North & have dumped lots of rain on & around the city.
And as we've seen this year, other places have also gone through natural disasters, more dramatic than cyclones. At least we can prepare for a cyclone by minimising flying rubbish in the yard, tying things down.
Eye 2 was done this morning, all ok so far.
All the best on your travels, wherever they may lead you.
The pics below are projected wind forecasts for a weather pattern that is worth keeping a serious eye on during the next week.
And later in the week.
Awnings and annexes may be at risk at there is a chance that it could turn into a cyclone and with an unpredictable path it could cross the coast although at this reported prediction is is tracking south east toward NZ.
Take care.
Regards
Angie
Wow! Not pretty at all.
Looking at the first pic under the LL and next to the 2 I'm sure I saw Dorothy holding onto the number 2
If that comes ashore hold on everyone and keep safe.
In any case of what happens the forecast is for heavy rains up and down the coast, which is understandable considering the depression.
Regards
Angie
Guess where we are !!!!!!
It sounds exciting. What with Fires, floods, Viruses an now Cyclones, never a dull moment.
-- Edited by iana on Monday 9th of March 2020 04:53:56 PM
You omitted the share market crash!
It has been drizzling rain all day here in Brisvegas & cold enough to pull out the trackies.
Tanks are full & it looks like its time to put in the winter veges. Might be self sufficient in veges over the onset of the Cono panic. Got enough toilet paper & hundreds of paperbacks as a back up.
Do they get cyclones in NZ?
The world is in a hell of a mess ... or is it just social media?
Category one is ok, two is getting a bit rough, three & above = it's look out!! Our house was built to Cat 1 standards, withstood the edge of Yasi (cat 2) ok but sustained some minor damage in the tornado in 2015.
Friends have been blaming us for all the rain that has fallen in Townsville (have been home for nearly three weeks) & it has rained on & off in that time. We can certainly do without the excitement we had in SE Victoria, Canberra & Toowoomba!!
Besides we need something to keep all of "The Mexicans" out of the state so we Qlders can have some time alone without all the nomads choking the roads, caravan parks, seaside parks!
Hopefully it will follow the route predicted by the BOM & give us some more rain (my back lawn is a squelchy quagmire) without the wind!
Remember - it's only those on the southern side that get the rain - those on the north get HOT, HOT winds!
I totally agree about the need for rain and the ability for these tropical lows to provide plenty of it at times.
My concern for the weather up there is because we have a daughter who lives in FNQ.
My memory goes back three odd years when Debbie was developing and the locals were playing it down with unfounded claims of itll be right mate, and it will go round us, it is only a sea breeze, and you southerners worry too much etc.
She was then in Bowen and she became very nervous as time went on and the tropical low increased in intensity. Her worries were compounded when the Police came to the park she was staying in and ordered them to pack up and to move.
Unfortunately by this time of official warning the roads were flooding and getting out was extremely difficult. Fortunately she was assisted by a local who provided a very secure shed for her and her partner to store their van. They are forever grateful to that man. They were not holidaying but were employed in the area.
Many locals actually rely on the influx of Mexicans as you call them to boost business earnings and provide a better economy for the regions. So all is not bad in that regard.
My first post was directed more toward any of us travellers that are in the area and need to heed the weather conditions and prepare should any of them need to retreat from the coast. At best if they dont have to move they have an opportunity to secure their vans and equipment against strong winds and rain.
When it is all over and the weather settles in May, rest assured, the Mexicans will march northward.
.
Regards
Angie
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Wednesday 11th of March 2020 08:46:11 AM
The Bruce Highway is terrible and the Qld Govt should be ashamed of its design and condition.
I have spent a bit of time on the coast in N Q and what I have noticed is that as these tropical depressions form and move south or worse toward the coast, the Bruce floods in the areas in the north and then worsen as the weather dumps more rain.
Last time I was in Bowen you could not go north or south due to road closures in both directions although now I believe they have raised the highway just north of the town. Probably still to no advantage because it still floods at Gumlu / Guthalungra and further up at Giru.
Rain further south blocks the highway and you cant even get to the Proserpine Airport which services the entire area including the Whitsundays.
Watch the weather particularly during summer if in this area.
My daughter just sent me this.
www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/news/cyclone-likely-to-form-flood-warning-issued/3964977/
Regards
Angie
We went through our first (in Qld) in 1988 (TC Charlie). We took shelter in what we assumed was the strongest part of the house - the stairwell but luckily it skirted Townsville & came in at Alva Beach (near Ayr).
The next was TC Aivu - made Charlie look like a sea breeze!
All houses built in the 80s onwards are built to withstand cyclones (one reason why it costs more to build a house here) - houses built in the last ten years are far stronger than ours.
Tell your daughter to bunker down in the strongest part of her house/unit - if the storm is heading her way. Have some of that Clear Selleys silicon on hand (it can be used on wet surfaces). We had to seal under our door frames to the floor to prevent the rain from blowing in.
Charlie was the one that was coming, then went out to sea, then disappeared, then was coming in! Often they are very unpredictable although the last batch have followed the predictions.
The only issue I had when Yasi came knocking was water blowing in under the end windows & keeping the towels wrung out! I gave up at 2m & went to sleep. I was home by myself & following instructions from Pat (in Toowoomba). "Take the photo albums downstairs, etc". The worst bit was being without power (we have underground lines) for just over two days. The aerial lines further away feeding the underground system failed.
And while you "Southerners" enjoy your trips to "Paradise" - NQ & FNQ, NT & the Kimberly in your winter, look out for a white D-Max towing a Jayco Discovery poptop heading in the opposite direction! Two years ago, I only saw two vans heading south "against the flow" - us & someone who stopped at Rocky! We're doing the usual - Toowoomba, Canberra, Warrnambool run again. May in Warrnambool is definitely not Warm-anbool!!
In case anyone has wondered as to how serious I was when I wrote my bit last night - I do have a warped sense of humour & was having difficulty seeing as I had my first cataract op yesterday (#2 is on for tomorrow).
Regarding your safety, the only decent advice that has come from our "wonderful" State Govt is "IF IT'S FLOODED, FORGET IT!"
And if they haven't done anything yet (although the pollies are starting to get nervous as they know they'll be booted out in the election in October), DO NOT leave any of your possessions unlocked or it will be stolen, wrecked, burnt, etc. Townsville is the "Kiddy Crim Capital" now but Mackay & Cairns aren't far behind. Kids aged 8-17 years have no qualms about breaking in & borrowing keys, cars, wallets, Tech gear, etc. And they do not sleep at night when most of us do.
PS - if anyone wants a quagmire - you can have my yard! Had some rain this morning, none since - 75mm so far this month.
I've not experienced a cyclone but spent 3 months cleaning up after Tracey in Darwin. Unbelievable damage.
We love Warrnambool. I reckon that I could live there maybe not in the deep winter & wind.
My Opthalmologist made me wait 1 month in between Cataract operations. Best operation ever, instant results. Good luck with yours.
We seem to be about to experience the Cyclone season.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 11th of March 2020 09:03:53 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 12th of March 2020 09:44:00 AM
The reason Darwin was such a mess after Tracey was the way houses were built in those days. "Jerry built" was a common term. I was in Darwin (worked at Radio Australia on Cox Peninsula) from 1969 to late '72.
Whole suburbs were built in 6 weeks, NTA (NT Administration) houses - timber frames were spread out to minimise wood use (or perhaps to build another house for free?). Asbestos sheets probably held them together!
Roofs were nailed on, perhaps they thought this was adequate. Women could see through the floor boards to what the hubby, kids were doing downstairs! Brick houses were also built on the cheap (but cost heaps), with cement work looking good on the outside of the bricks but only minimal cement where it mattered. I was drilling a brick to add a masonry anchor at work. The brick disappeared on to the table in the office next door!
Contractors were ripping off the government left, right & centre.
So yes Tracey & Althea (Townsville) & many others certainly changed building codes for the better, with houses more resilient, thanks to the testing station at JCU.
I too would have had the ops spaced out but as we're heading south at/after Easter, the jobs are being pushed through. All ok so far.
Hi Warren,
Some good advice offered above although I dont think you would convince me to go further south in the Aussie winter.
We try to follow the warmer weather and at the same time visit family and friends. I am sure the friends and family that live in the southern areas fully understand our motives.
My husband Rob and my brother had to go Darwin at the end of January after Cyclone Tracy and they say that the damage there was unbelievable. I remember viewing the photos they had from the area after the TC event
When we travelled north to our daughter after Debbie, Rob was amazed of the small amounts of damage in relative comparison to Darwin and Tracy. All the buildings are definitely better than many years ago.Thank goodness.
I wish you well with your operations on your eyes and trust all will be a lot better after the procedures.
Regards
Angie
Yes Angie, when I was there, there were streets/suburbs of just concrete stumps and a floor left. Nothing else, except things like the twisted railway iron light pole beside the road out near (I think) Cassurina School.
Somewhere in amongst stored photos that I havent filed on Picscanner there are Robs pics illustrating exactly your description.
It must have been awful at the time for all those people facing a massive rebuild.
I felt so sorry for the families with young children who basically lost everything and at Christmas as well which would be worse.
Having to build today to a standard that withstands the ravages of most cyclones is a small price to pay in the overall scheme of things.
I could only imagine what a strong cyclone may do to a caravan if not suitably stored and secured.
Regards
Angie
We don't travel south, particularly in winter out of choice. Our children left home many moons ago - son to Canberra, daughter to Warrnambool. I don't get on well in the cold & after moving here with work some 32.5 years ago, we've looked at living near our families. But there are road blocks - Canberra, house prices are prohibitive; Warrnambool is equally very cold in winter.
For any medical emergency, we'd have to commute to either Geelong or Melbourne whereas everything is here in Townsville, with a bus stop less than 100m away. And within a day, we can be anywhere in Australia by plane, train. Entertainment is not lacking either with several talented groups operating here.
So we put up with the weather here - whether perfect or foul. The last cyclone to wreck Townsville was Althea, we've had a number of close shaves as well as a few that have stopped just a bit North & have dumped lots of rain on & around the city.
And as we've seen this year, other places have also gone through natural disasters, more dramatic than cyclones. At least we can prepare for a cyclone by minimising flying rubbish in the yard, tying things down.
Eye 2 was done this morning, all ok so far.
All the best on your travels, wherever they may lead you.