Premier Anna Bligh says the cyclone bearing down on the Queensland coast has the potential to be the biggest the state has ever seen. Ms Bligh is calling on Queenslanders to prepare for gale-force winds, torrential rain and massive storm surges when Cyclone Yasi crosses the coast on Wednesday night.
Residents in low-lying parts of Townsville, between Mackay and Innisfail, are already being told to evacuate and move to higher ground. Authorities fear the massive cyclone, which could pack winds up to 260 kilometres per hour, may be as intense as Cyclone Larry, which devastated parts of far north Queensland in 2006.
"
may well be one of the largest and most significant cyclones that we have ever had to deal with," Ms Bligh said. "This is an event we have to take seriously. I know cyclones can at the last minute turn off the coast, and I certainly hope this one does. "But the bureau advises me in the most serious terms, that all of the modelling right now says this is going to cross our coast."
Ms Bligh says Yasi is expected to turn into a category-four system by Wednesday.
EDIT
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/31/3126169.htm?section=justin
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