Intense tropical cyclone George Hits Australia
Pastor Dale Morgan
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Intense tropical cyclone George Hits Australia *
08 Mar 2007 20:46:00 GMT
Source: Tropical Storm Risk
Mark Saunders
Intense tropical cyclone George struck Australia at about 12:00 GMT on 8
March. Data supplied by the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning
Center suggest that the point of landfall was near 19.9 S, 119.0 E.
George brought 1-minute maximum sustained winds to the region of around
203 km/h (126 mph). Wind gusts in the area may have been considerably
higher.
According to the Saffir-Simpson damage scale the potential property
damage and flooding from a storm of George's strength (category 3) at
landfall includes:
* Storm surge generally 2.7-3.7 metres (9-12 feet) above normal.
* Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings
with a minor amount of curtainwall failures.
* Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and
large trees blown down.
* Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed.
* Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before
arrival of the centre of the storm.
* Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger
structures damaged by battering from floating debris.
* Terrain continuously lower than 1.5 metres (5 feet) above mean sea
level may be flooded inland 13 km (8 miles) or more.
* Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of the
shoreline may be required.
There is also the potential for heavy flooding further inland due to
heavy rain.
The information above is provided for guidance only and should not be
used to make life or death decisions or decisions relating to property.
Anyone in the region who is concerned for their personal safety or
property should contact their official national weather agency or
warning centre for advice.
This alert is provided by Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) which is sponsored
by Benfield, Royal & SunAlliance, Crawford & Company and University
College London (UCL). TSR acknowledges the support of the UK Met Office.