Australians warned to prepare for cyclones/hurricanes
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Australians warned to prepare for cyclones/hurricanes*
By Jessica Marszalek
November 21, 2006 04:53pm
Article from: AAP
AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLANDERS have been warned to prepare for devastating
cyclones/hurricanes that could strike at any time anywhere on the
state's coast.
Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell declared the start of the
cyclone season today at Innisfail, where a cyclone in March devastated
the region, wiping out homes, schools and most of Queensland's banana crops.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Tony Wedd today said the bureau was
expecting an average season for tropical cyclones with the chances of
several developing being "pretty good''.
Mr Wedd said the tropical coast was most at risk, from Cape York
Peninsula south to Mackay, although cyclones further south around Fraser
Island or even Brisbane were not impossible.
"One thing we've learnt studying cyclones over the years is that you
can't take them for granted and pretty much anywhere in coastal
Queensland can possibly be at risk,'' he said.
"Only once every couple of decades on average would an area as far south
as Brisbane be affected by a tropical cyclone so it is a very rare
event, but it's definitely not out of the question and that has happened
before.
"The truth is the first cyclone could happen at any time, so the start
of the cyclone season is upon us and at any time from now on really a
cyclone could form in the eastern region.''
Mr Purcell today appealed for Queenslanders to begin preparing their
homes to face a possible cyclone onslaught.
"Many people wait until a cyclone is actually approaching before they
take the necessary precautions to protect their home and property,'' he
said in Innisfail.
"But the reality is that cyclones can develop quite quickly or change
course without warning and people can find themselves dangerously
unprepared once the winds begin to pick up speed.''
He said homeowners should check the security of roof tiles, trim
branches, have emergency kits and stocks on hand and plan evacuation
procedures.
A cyclone summit will be hosted by the state government next month to
look at how climate change may increase the frequency and severity of
tropical cyclones and examine better ways to manage the aftermath of
major disasters.