Cyclone oma

the rocket · Guru

Cyclone oma

Possum3 · Guru

Rocket, Have you ever been to Glasshouse Mountains www.caravan-parkfinder.com.au/campsites-and-caravan-parks/view/9222-glasshouse-mountains-tourist-park

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I reckon ya OK heading to Toowoomba, rocket.

If Oma hits as predicted, I think the Glasshouse Mountains area would not be too safe - except for the actual peaks in the area it is flat coastal plains and not that far inland.

Cheers - stay well, stay safe and keep moving west for a little while - John

Nevd · Senior Member

At best the predictions are for a windy week along the south/central Qld coast. Latest modelling from BOM has it doing a U turn and heading northward again. They are getting better each year at their predictions, but these things can have a mind of their own. Once over the Great Divide and away from the coast the wind effect diminishes markedly, but you have to watch for the heavy rains that can go with a cyclone - often 100's of km inland.
If you keep an eye on the BOM website - go to the "Tropical Cyclones" link at the bottom left of the homepage, and that will lead you to the forecast map. Another helpful tool is the "Maps" link towards the bottom level, and once there hit the "Interactive Weather and Wave" link, then select Queensland from the Area list. It'll show you the predicted rain & isobar chart for the next week. Then I select the "Surface Winds" options in the "Show" area and that gives you a wind speed & direction prediction.
No panic at this stage - just getting ready to be prepared here at Hervey Bay. Considering the need for more chains on the van, though.
As far as Toowoomba goes, there's plenty to see in the area. There's no free camping in Toowoomba, the Showgrounds has mixed reviews, but I'm told Clifton just southwest has a $10 pn camp that is quite pleasant, but sometimes windy according to reviews. If you based yourself in Toowoomba it would take between 1 and 2 weeks to check out most things within a 100 km radius.
Safe travels,

Nev

brickies · Guru

Good call Rocket

2-Smiths · Veteran Member

Nevd wrote:
At best the predictions are for a windy week along the south/central Qld coast. Latest modelling from BOM has it doing a U turn and heading northward again. They are getting better each year at their predictions, but these things can have a mind of their own. Once over the Great Divide and away from the coast the wind effect diminishes markedly, but you have to watch for the heavy rains that can go with a cyclone - often 100's of km inland.
If you keep an eye on the BOM website - go to the "Tropical Cyclones" link at the bottom left of the homepage, and that will lead you to the forecast map. Another helpful tool is the "Maps" link towards the bottom level, and once there hit the "Interactive Weather and Wave" link, then select Queensland from the Area list. It'll show you the predicted rain & isobar chart for the next week. Then I select the "Surface Winds" options in the "Show" area and that gives you a wind speed & direction prediction.
No panic at this stage - just getting ready to be prepared here at Hervey Bay. Considering the need for more chains on the van, though.
As far as Toowoomba goes, there's plenty to see in the area. There's no free camping in Toowoomba, the Showgrounds has mixed reviews, but I'm told Clifton just southwest has a $10 pn camp that is quite pleasant, but sometimes windy according to reviews. If you based yourself in Toowoomba it would take between 1 and 2 weeks to check out most things within a 100 km radius.
Safe travels,

Nev

Where abouts in HB are you Nev? Our place (rented ATM) is up the back of HB at ~60M elevation, so not too worried about Storm surges and the like (or flooding, as it's on about the highest point in the area). The winds might be another issue, though.

In saying that, I've been on to our Property Manager, who seems less than concerned. Hope you and yours (and your place) gets through OK.

Take care.

Michael

Nevd · Senior Member

Hi Michael.

We live on the hill at Dundowran facing eastwards. Great for cooling south-easterly summer breezes, but a bit exposed to Cyclonic south easterlies.

Not too concerned at this stage because predictions in the area are for max 30 knots (about 60 kph). Doesn't even predict much rain either - and we definitely need some.

I wouldn't like to be on the front beach of Fraser Island in the next few days though.

2-Smiths · Veteran Member

Nevd wrote:
Hi Michael.
We live on the hill at Dundowran facing eastwards. Great for cooling south-easterly summer breezes, but a bit exposed to Cyclonic south easterlies.
Not too concerned at this stage because predictions in the area are for max 30 knots (about 60 kph). Doesn't even predict much rain either - and we definitely need some.
I wouldn't like to be on the front beach of Fraser Island in the next few days though.

Indeed...I heard predictions of 6m waves potentially hitting the Eastern side of Fraser Island...Not good.

Will take 60KPH winds if that's all we get.

Take care out there.

matildatraveller · Guru

Yeah, Oma is gearing up to stage a historic weather pattern. I am at Taree and are already getting massive rainfall. Gwynnie

Cyclone Oma heading for the East Coast..jpg

-- Edited by matildatraveller on Thursday 21st of February 2019 03:19:20 PM

the rocket · Guru

Thanks everyone. We are now in toowoomba. Went up the heifer creek way to greenmount. Stopped at heifer creek for a rest and lunch and temp was 35 and then got back on the road and soon it began bucketing down and temp. 21. All good now. Will keep u all posted.

hope those in hervey bay stay safe And that cyclone does not make landfall.

-- Edited by the rocket on Thursday 21st of February 2019 03:36:46 PM

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Yep, Oma's potential is threatening for sure -

Oma - showing the wind -

Oma Wind 01.JPG

Oma - showing the rain -

Oma Rain 01.JPG

Cheers - John

Gaylehere · Guru

Hi Rocket, If you like aeroplanes go have a look at the Canberra Bomber at Brymaroo. Travel on the Toowoomba to Dalby road and turn right at Jondaryan (there's a sign that says Brymaroo but no mention of the bomber). It's about 15k up that road. The Jondaryan Woolshed has a CP. It was $25 when we stopped there some time ago. Bowenville reserve turn off is also on the Toowoomba/Dalby highway . Plenty of places to free camp around Toowoomba but nothing in town itself. Across the road from the Nobby pub always has people there. If heading Chinchilla way, may I suggest, go to Dalby, Kogan and then onto Chinchilla. Have a look at the life size statues in the park at Kogan. Always people staying at Chinchilla Weir too though the water level was very low when we looked in October. Anyway, enjoy yourselves in this part of the woods. Cheers.

-- Edited by Gaylehere on Thursday 21st of February 2019 05:24:00 PM

Yuglamron · Guru

I was in Hillcrest Holiday Village Burrum Heads near Hervey Bay for what was supposed to be Ex Tropical Cyclone Yasi. I think it was 2011

3:30 am a Tornado came through. Left a trail of destruction exactly the same as you see on the news feeds from Tornado Alley in the USA when they have a Tornado that hits a trailer Park. We had been told to watch for tidal surges and localised flooding. Cut off for five days and the Army came in to help.

Luckily no fatalities and if I recall correctly a dead dog, his owner a broken collarbone and a couple of people suffered mild hear attacks in the aftermath.

Lesson learnt never take Cyclones or ex Cyclones lightly

the rocket · Guru

Yuglamron wrote:
I was in Hillcrest Holiday Village Burrum Heads near Hervey Bay for what was supposed to be Ex Tropical Cyclone Yasi. I think it was 2011
3:30 am a Tornado came through. Left a trail of destruction exactly the same as you see on the news feeds from Tornado Alley in the USA when they have a Tornado that hits a trailer Park. We had been told to watch for tidal surges and localised flooding. Cut off for five days and the Army came in to help.
Luckily no fatalities and if I recall correctly a dead dog, his owner a broken collarbone and a couple of people suffered mild hear attacks in the aftermath.
Lesson learnt never take Cyclones or ex Cyclones lightly

Good advice yuglamron. I remember hearing about that. Sitting it out in toowoomba for now.

2-Smiths · Veteran Member

Latest advice suggest a downgrade has been issued...

"For general council news visit here
***Sandbag Filling Points***
Published on 22/02/2019 10:09 am
TC OMA CANCELLED ZONES
IDQ20023
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning.

PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 4
Issued at 5:09 am EST on Friday 22 February 2019

Headline:
Tropical Cyclone Oma has weakened to Category 1. The Cyclone Watch has been cancelled along the SE Qld and northern NSW coast, as the system is forecast to remain offshore through the weekend. Abnormally high tides and dangerous surf conditions will continue, refer to the latest Severe Weather Warnings.

Areas Affected:
Warning zone: None.

Watch zone: None.

Cancelled zone: Bundaberg to Ballina, including Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Oma at 4:00 am AEST:
Intensity: Category 1, sustained winds near the centre of 85 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 120 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 35 kilometres of 24.6 degrees South 159.4 degrees East, estimated to be 710 kilometres east northeast of Brisbane and 720 kilometres east of Bundaberg.
Movement: south southwest at 13 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Oma has weakened to Category 1 but is forecast to strengthen back to category 2 during Friday. It is expected to continue moving in a generally south to southwesterly direction during Friday and early Saturday.
Oma's motion becomes slow moving to the north during Saturday, remaining offshore through the weekend and early next week.

Hazards:
Abnormally high tides and dangerous surf conditions are expected along the southern Queensland coast over the next few days and into early next week. Seas and swell are already increasing well ahead of the approach of Oma with dangerous surf about the east coast extending from far northern New South Wales northwards to Seventeen Seventy, just north of Bundaberg. Beach erosion is likely to continue with the hazardous marine conditions.

A Severe Weather Warning for Damaging Winds, Abnormally High Tides and Dangerous Surf is current. A Hazardous Surf Warning is also current.

Gale force winds, with gusts greater than 90km/hr, are expected to develop along exposed coastal areas of southern Queensland during Friday well ahead of Oma. Gale force winds are also possible about elevated terrain near the New South Wales border during Friday. Gales may extend into coastal parts of far northern New South Wales on Saturday.

The Watch has been cancelled due to Strong Gales being unlikely to develop on the coast.

Water levels on the high tide may exceed the highest tide of the year by around one metre over the next few days.

Recommended Action:
Please refer to the latest Severe Weather Warnings for Queensland and New South Wales.

Next Advice:
No further advices will be issued for this system unless it moves back towards the coast. A Information Bulletin will be issued by 11:00 am AEST Friday 22 February.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at:
www.bom.gov.au/cyclone"

Not out of the woods yet, but possibly good signs...

miroku12g · Senior Member

Sunshine Coast Today @ 6.30am
slight breeze, sunny---

yesterday windy, with occasional strong gust's, went for a walk down Mudjimba Beach, waves on the beach front approx 2 mtr Max ? Ch 7 kept showing old footage, Bradman Ave had water just lapping the edge of the road [ pretty normal on a King Tide]
Luck our ever loving leader told us not to: Go Fishing, Go Swimming, Play any sports, stay indoors !!!! she saved us all

Dave

DMaxer · Guru

I am currently in Northern Rivers of NSW. Pretty calm last night but would blow a dog off a chain today.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

NEVER TRUST A CYCLONE/TROPICAL LOW TO PLAY BALL!

This was the mongrel that started up in New Caledonia, came west & sat over Townsville (the rest of the trough went west to the Julia Creek/Mt Isa area) - everyone in Australia knows what happened! We were away but fortunately our street although very close to Ross River, did not flood.

So this Low did its thing & went back to New Caledonia & formed what we know as "TC Oma" & then paid SE Qld a visit, though somewhat distant - fortunately for them. So now it's heading north toward NC (again) - WHAT WILL IT DO NEXT?

North Qld definitely doesn't want it back!

Back in 1988 a cyclone called "Charlie" waddled all over the Coral Sea in every direction known for a week & then "disappeared". Three hours later it was back & went in at Alva Beach, playing havoc on the Ayr/Home Hill areas.

Another - I think it was TC Monica (2006) did a trip around Australia; came in over Cape York & ruffled Weipa, followed the coast around & finally disappeared south of Pt Lincoln (in SA).

Some are predictable, some aren't.

Yes Yuglamron, TC Yasi came in 2011 (Feb 1st-4th). Mission Beach, Tully & a lot of places north, south & west.
TC Larry (Tully, Innisfail, Tablelands) saw me out of Telstra (I was made redundant 3 months later) but the spares I sent north by air were used by the local staff whereas those that were sent from Brisbane spent the duration on trucks at the first flooded river crossing south of Townsville!

My suggestion to Nomads-travellers is to stay in the southern parts of Qld for a while yet but when all is clear, spend some money in the flood ravished areas.

the rocket · Guru

Hello everyone,

hopefully we have seen the last of oma. Moving up the coast now.