Mass evacuations are underway in Queensland in anticipation of what forecasters expect will be the largest cyclone ever to hit the continent. Yasi has intensified rapidly and currently has winds gusting up to 295 kilometers per hour (183 mph). It is expected to maintain that intensity-equivalent to a Category Five hurricane until landfall in northeastern Queensland (early morning Feb. 2 in the United States).
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-034
Strong cyclone bears down on north Australia coast Excerpts:
Tens of thousands of Australians stocked up on food and hunkered in sturdy shelters Wednesday as a monster cyclone approached the northeast coast with furious winds, rains and surging seas on a scale unseen there in generations.
Gusts up to 186 mph (300 kph) were expected when Cyclone Yasi strikes the coast late Wednesday after whipping across Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The storm front is more than 310 miles (500 kilometers) wide and Yasi is so strong, it could reach far inland before it significantly loses power.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the last cyclone of such strength to cross Queensland was in 1918.
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Forecasters said up to three feet (one meter) of rain could fall on some coastal communities.
And the one upside..
Building codes that have been strengthened since Cyclone Tracy devastated the city of Darwin in 1974 have left the region generally well-prepared.
Landfall is within the day. News video here.. To the people in Yasi's path: I hope for safe passage for them, from now, until the aftermath of whatever Yasi brings..
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