27 replies to this topic

[Somerset Squall]

Ului weakened to 55kts overnight, but has unexpectedly re-strengthened to 80kts, just prior to landfall which will occur later this evening between Mackay and Ayr. The unexpected strengthening may lead to more damage from wind than originally anticipated, and flooding rains are still a certain.

This satellite run shows the re-formation of the eye:

http://cimss.ssec.wi...gmsirnjava.html

Edited by Somerset Squall, 20 March 2010 - 18:38 .

[Somerset Squall]

Quote

48,000 homes without power after Ului

* From: AAP
* March 21, 2010 6:04PM



AROUND 48,000 Ergon Energy customers battered by Cyclone Ului were still without power this afternoon.

But Premier Anna Bligh pleaded for north Queenslanders to be patient as authorities struggle to restore supplies in the wake of the category three cyclone which smashed into the coast this morning, knocking out power to 55,000 homes and businesses.

Ergon - using field crews from other parts of the state - says it must first restore power to essential facilities and services.

These include critical community infrastructure such as hospitals, police, ambulance, fire brigade, water treatment facilities and pumping stations.

Major commercial customers such as shopping centres will then have power restored before the field crews can target residential customers.

An Ergon spokesman said power had been restored to most of Bowen and Collinsville by diverting power to these communities from other parts of its north Queensland network.

The majority still without power are in the Mackay region.

Supplies were interrupted in the Sarina district in the South, Mackay and surrounding areas, the Pioneer Valley out to Glenden, and Proserpine and the Whitsunday Islands.

Additional field staff from outside the area are now being moved into the Mackay region to assist with the restoration effort.

Premier Bligh, who inspected damage in Proserpine today, stressed the need for patience.

"We would ask for people's patience because there is a very large number of people without power and a large number of powerlines and transmitters down," she said.

Ergon field staff from Rockhampton were on their way to Mackay later today while Townsville and Burdekin crews who had been en-route to Bowen, were diverted to Proserpine.

"Ergon Energy is working through the damage in a planned, methodical manner to ensure power is restored to affected customers as quickly and safely as possible," a company cyclone bulletin said.

















Sugar Cane Field.

More pictures of the damage, and details of the flooding and damage:

Quote

Floods follow Cyclone Ului's wild path across north Queensland

PREMIER Anna Bligh has today visited Central Queensland communities including Mackay that have been left with significant damage bills caused by Cyclone Ului.

After visiting Proserpine earlier today, the Premier stopped off for a brief visit at Mackay to thank all those involved in helping protect the city from severe devastation.

She said tourism, fisheries and coal mining will be among the biggest industries to be hit during the cyclone and will be left with hefty damage bills.

"We have potential affects on all the industries in this region,'' Premier Bligh said.

Flooding was expected in Mackay this afternoon, however latest reports show this is now unlikely to happen with overcast conditions.

More than 50,000 homes in Mackay remain without power. Optus telephone services have also been cut in the region since Saturday night.

North Queensland residents cleaning up damage from Cyclone Ului now face the prospect of flooding with up to 450mm of rain reported in the area.

The Clarke range received 452mm in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday, while 332mm fell on Finch Hatton and 169mm on Mackay.

"There's major flooding around Finch Hatton on Cattle Creek," said Ian Rocca at the Bureau of Meteorology flood warning centre.

"The floodwaters will reach Mackay during Sunday afternoon but they're not expected to exceed minor flood level."

It said moderate to heavy rainfall associated with the cyclone was forecast for coastal areas between Townsville and Yeppoon today.

A Courier-Mail team in the area reported "unbelievably heavy" rain at around 10.30am between Mackay and Midge Point, but that had eased slightly by just before 11am.

The road to Midge Point was cut by floodwaters and fallen trees.

[cookie]

thanks for the article and the images mate!

cat 2 at landfall?

[Rob]

cookie, on 21 March 2010 - 11:17 , said:

thanks for the article and the images mate!

cat 2 at landfall?

I believe it was.

[Somerset Squall]

Yup, high end cat 2, 95kts. A little unexpected to say the least.

[cookie]

according to some obsevations from hamilton island. could be a high end cat 3 or low end cat 4.

[Somerset Squall]

I think that refers to the Australian scale Cookie, not the SS scale. I could be wrong, could you give a source for the cat 3/4 landfall?

Wikipedia says it is the joint fastest intensifying storm of all time- tropical storm to cat 5 in 24hrs. The only other storm to do this was Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

[cookie]

Somerset Squall, on 23 March 2010 - 23:10 , said:

I think that refers to the Australian scale Cookie, not the SS scale. I could be wrong, could you give a source for the cat 3/4 landfall?

Wikipedia says it is the joint fastest intensifying storm of all time- tropical storm to cat 5 in 24hrs. The only other storm to do this was Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

I should have posted the information when i was looking at it last night mate,

you proberly right bout the scale being wrong. its confusing sometimes trying to keep up with the differnce scales and the differnt wind speed mesauments etc.