Tropical Cyclone Hamish summary

TC Hamish has finally disipated into a low so I thought I’d post links to all the articles in chronological order:

Updates and observations

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Here we go again

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 01

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 02

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 03

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 04

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 05

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 06

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 07

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 08

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 09

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 10

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 11

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 12

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 13

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 14

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 15

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 16

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 17

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 18

Related articles and photographs

Ingham – Cyclone Ellie/Flood Damage

ABC: Nth Qld on high alert as Hamish approaches Cat 5

Invisible Cyclone Hamish

Cyclone Hamish Satellite Image via US Navy

Post-Cyclonic Sunset

Post-Cyclonic Sunset, Part Deux

Post-Cyclonic Sunset, Part Deux

Post Cyclonic Sunset 01

Post Cyclonic Sunset 02

Post Cyclonic Sunset 03

Post Cyclonic Sunset 04

Post Cyclonic Sunset 05

Every cyclone has an orange lining.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 18

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 18

This is probably the last update from me as Hamish is now well out of our region. You may find further updates here. The current BoM advice is below and you can always get the latest reports from the BoM Queensland Weather and Warnings page. Once again, all credit to the wonderful people at BoM for all the data.

A couple more vids about cyclones in Australia:

Cyclone George, which crossed the WA coast in 2007 and Cyclone Tracy, a storm that mashed Darwin over Christmas 1974.

Good luck to all the people in the path of Hamish and this photoblog will be back to no business as usual from now.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 25
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 10:40pm on Sunday the 8th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Saint Lawrence to Bundaberg. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Bundaberg to Tewantin.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 4 CYCLONE, is located off the Central Queensland coast and at 10:00 pm EST was estimated to be 230 kilometres east of Mackay and 235 kilometres north northeast of Yeppoon, moving southeast at 12 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a threat to exposed coastal and island communities between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands and Heron Island]. The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 36 hours.

Damaging winds are currently being experienced on the Percy Group of islands. Damaging winds are likely to develop between Shoalwater Bay and Gladstone overnight and are expected to extend south over other exposed coastal and island communities to Bundaberg during Monday.

Damaging winds are not expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Bundaberg and Tewantin during the next 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall are likely to develop between Yeppoon and Tewantin on Monday.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 10:00 pm EST:

• Centre located near…… 21.1 degrees South 151.4 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 28 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the southeast at 12 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 250 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 4
• Central pressure……… 945 hectoPascals

People between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Bundaberg and Tewantin should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 17

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 17

Diary of a Cyclone – video diary of a Cat 5 cyclone passing a remote aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. If you want to see what a cyclone is like without having to experience it first-hand then I would highly recommend this.

Latest BoM Update:

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 24
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 7:50pm on Sunday the 8th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Saint Lawrence to Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands].

A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Bundaberg to Tewantin.

The Cyclone WARNING from Mackay to Saint Lawrence has been cancelled.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 4 CYCLONE, is located off the north Queensland coast and at 7:00 pm EST was estimated to be 235 kilometres northeast of St Lawrence and 255 kilometres north of Yeppoon, moving southeast at 13 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a significant threat to coastal and island communities between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands]. The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Damaging wind gusts are expected to affect coastal and island communities between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg during the next 24 hours.

Destructive winds are expected to affect island communities between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands] during the next 24 hours.

Damaging winds are not expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Bundaberg and Tewantin during the next 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall are likely to develop between St Lawrence and Hervey Bay on Monday.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 7:00 pm EST:

• Centre located near…… 20.9 degrees South 151.2 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 28 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the southeast at 13 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 230 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 4
• Central pressure……… 949 hectoPascals

People between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands] should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Bundaberg and Tewantin should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 16

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 16

It’s still a Cat 4 and BoM sees it weakening over the next two days. Fingers crossed. If it this forecast track is accurate then at least it will be down to a Cat 3 by the time it crosses the coast. Not wonderful but obviously much better than crossing as a Cat 5.

TOP PRIORITY FOR
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 23
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 4:56pm on Sunday the 8th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Saint Lawrence to Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands]. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Bundaberg to Tewantin.

The Cyclone WARNING from Mackay to Saint Lawrence has been cancelled.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 4 CYCLONE, is located off the north Queensland coast and at 4:00 pm EST was estimated to be 215 kilometres northeast of St Lawrence and 260 kilometres north of Yeppoon, moving southeast at 13 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a significant threat to coastal and island communities between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands]. The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Damaging wind gusts are expected to affect coastal and island communities between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg during the next 24 hours.

Destructive winds are expected to affect island communities between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands] during the next 24 hours.

Damaging winds are not expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Bundaberg and Tewantin during the next 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Heavy rainbands associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish are likely to cause some flooding in smaller coastal rivers and streams between Mackay and Yeppoon tonight. Heavy rainfalls are likely to affect the coastal streams between Yeppoon and Fraser Island during Monday and Tuesday. A separate Flood Warning has been issued for these areas.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 4:00 pm EST:

• Centre located near…… 20.8 degrees South 150.8 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 28 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the southeast at 13 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 240 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 4
• Central pressure……… 950 hectoPascals

People between Saint Lawrence and Bundaberg [including the Percy group of islands] should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Bundaberg and Tewantin should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

As always, thanks to BoM for the Queensland weather data.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 15

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 15

As predicted, Hamish has thankfully become a Cat 4 again. Let’s hope this trend continues as it gets closer to the coast. The ABC has this report about evacuations further south.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 22
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 1:51pm on Sunday the 8th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Mackay to Bundaberg. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Bundaberg to Tewantin.

The Cyclone WARNING from Bowen to Mackay has been cancelled.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 4 CYCLONE, is located off the north Queensland coast and at 1:00 pm EST was estimated to be 170 kilometres east northeast of Mackay and 305 kilometres north of Yeppoon, moving south southeast at 17 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a significant threat to coastal and island communities between Mackay and Bundaberg. The cyclone is expected to maintain a south-southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Damaging wind gusts are expected to affect coastal and island communities between Mackay and Bundaberg during the next 24 hours.

Destructive winds are expected to affect exposed coastal and island communities between Mackay and Gladstone during the next 24 hours.

Damaging winds are not expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Bundaberg and Tewantin during the next 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the south-southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Heavy rainbands associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish are likely to cause some flooding in smaller coastal rivers and streams between Mackay and Yeppoon during today and into Monday. Heavy rainfalls are likely to affect the coastal streams between Yeppoon to Maryborough during Monday and Tuesday. A separate Flood Warning has been issued for these areas.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 1:00 pm EST:

• Centre located near…… 20.4 degrees South 150.6 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 28 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the south southeast at 17 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 260 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 4
• Central pressure……… 940 hectoPascals

People between Mackay and Bundaberg should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Bundaberg and Tewantin should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 14

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 14

It’s hard to believe a Cat 5 cyclone blew straight past us and left no indications of its existence. I guess we were lucky again. There are patches of blue sky and the humidity is down to 48%. Here is the usual BoM advice for 11am:

TOP PRIORITY FOR
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 21
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 10:47am on Sunday the 8th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Bowen to Bundaberg. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Bundaberg to Tewantin.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 5 CYCLONE, is located off the north Queensland coast and at 10:00 am EST was estimated to be 175 kilometres northeast of Mackay and 335 kilometres north of Yeppoon, moving south southeast at 19 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a very significant threat to coastal and island communities between Bowen and Bundaberg. The cyclone is expected to maintain a south-southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Damaging wind gusts are expected to affect coastal and island communities between Bowen and Bundaberg during the next 24 hours.

Destructive winds are expected to affect exposed coastal and island communities between Mackay and Gladstone during the next 24 hours.

Damaging winds are not expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Bundaberg and Tewantin during the next 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the south-southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Heavy rainbands associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish are likely to cause some flooding in smaller coastal rivers and streams between Mackay and Yeppoon during today and into Monday. Heavy rainfalls are likely to affect the coastal streams between Yeppoon to Maryborough during Monday and Tuesday. A separate Flood Warning has been issued for these areas.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 10:00 am EST:

• Centre located near…… 20.1 degrees South 150.5 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 28 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the south southeast at 19 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 295 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 5
• Central pressure……… 925 hectoPascals

People between Bowen and Bundaberg should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Bundaberg and Tewantin should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 13

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 13

Latest from BoM. This will be the last report for the night from me. Good luck to those that are in the path.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 18
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 1:45am on Sunday the 8th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Ayr to Gladstone. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Gladstone to Hervey Bay.

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, ELEVATED SEA LEVELS and LARGE WAVES are likely to impact on the Whitsunday Islands during Sunday morning.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 5 CYCLONE, is located off the north Queensland coast and at 1:00 am EST was estimated to be 155 kilometres northeast of Hayman Is and 305 kilometres east of Townsville, moving southeast at 18 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a very significant threat to coastal and island communities about the central Queensland coast. The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Damaging wind gusts may affect coastal and island communities between Ayr and Gladstone during the next 24 hours.

Destructive winds are expected to affect exposed coastal and island communities between Bowen and Shoalwater Bay during the next 24 hours.

Damaging winds are not expected about coastal and island communities between Gladstone and Hervey Bay within 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall may cause flooding in some coastal streams and rivers between Bowen and Rockhampton during the next 24 hours.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 1:00 am EST:

• Centre located near…… 18.9 degrees South 149.7 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 28 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the southeast at 18 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 295 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 5
• Central pressure……… 927 hectoPascals

People between Ayr and Gladstone should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Gladstone and Hervey Bay should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 12

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 12

BoM have confirmed that Hamish is now a Cat 5, the top of the Australian Region
Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale. Cyclones tend to increase in intensity overnight so this isn’t too surprising. Hopefully it will ease off when during the daytime. It’s strange to think that it’s almost directly east of here and yet there are no indications whatsoever.

Read on for further details:

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 17
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 10:48pm on Saturday the 7th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Ayr to Gladstone. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Gladstone to Hervey Bay.

The Cyclone WATCH between Townsville and Ayr has been CANCELLED.

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, ELEVATED SEA LEVELS and LARGE WAVES are likely to impact on the Whitsunday Islands during Sunday morning.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a CATEGORY 5 CYCLONE, is located off the north Queensland coast and at 10:00 pm EST was estimated to be 180 kilometres north northeast of Hayman Is and 275 kilometres east northeast of Townsville, moving southeast at 17 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish poses a very significant threat to coastal and island communities about the central Queensland coast. The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Damaging wind gusts may affect coastal and island communities between Ayr and Gladstone during the next 24 hours.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS are expected to affect exposed coastal and island communities between Bowen and Shoalwater Bay during the next 24 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the southeast, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall may cause flooding in some coastal streams and rivers between Bowen and Rockhampton during the next 24 hours.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 10:00 pm EST:

• Centre located near…… 18.5 degrees South 149.3 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 19 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the southeast at 17 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 295 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 5
• Central pressure……… 930 hectoPascals

People between Ayr and Gladstone should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Gladstone and Hervey Bay should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

Once again, many thanks to BoM for the track maps and advice releases.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

ABC: Nth Qld on high alert as Hamish approaches Cat 5

The ABC has a reasonably good piece on Hamish. It doesn’t contain all the hype of the news.com.au nonsense that seems to be written by children that have consumed too much sugar and food colouring.

Read the article here.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 11

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 11

BoM thinks Hamish will become a Cat 5 when it passes Hayman Island. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it heads east before then.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 16
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 7:44pm on Saturday the 7th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Townsville to Yeppoon. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Yeppoon to Hervey Bay.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a category 4 cyclone, at 7:00 pm EST was estimated to be 205 kilometres north of Hayman Is and 225 kilometres northeast of Ayr, moving southeast at 17 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish has continued to intensify and is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast.

Damaging wind gusts may affect coastal and island communities between Townsville and Yeppoon during the next 24 hours.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may affect coastal and island communities between Ayr and St Lawrence. VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may affect the Whitsunday Islands early Sunday morning as the Cyclone passes to the east.

Damaging wind gusts may develop about coastal and island communities between Yeppoon and Hervey Bay [including Heron Island] within 24 to 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves to the south-east, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall may cause flooding in some coastal streams and rivers between Bowen and Rockhampton during the next 24 hours.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 7:00 pm EST:

• Centre located near…… 18.2 degrees South 149.0 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 19 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the southeast at 17 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 275 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 4
• Central pressure……… 940 hectoPascals

People between Townsville and Yeppoon should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Yeppoon and Hervey Bay should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

Ouch

Another satellite image from the US Navy:

Cyclone Hamish Satellite Image 01

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Post-Cyclonic Sunset

Post-Cyclonic Sunset

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Tropical Cyclone Hamish – Update 10

Cyclone Hamish Track Map 10

No change here whatsoever despite Hamish being pretty much dead level with us but the track map is indicating a more southerly path. It looks like the coastal towns further down the track are going to get a bit of rain.

Cyclone Hamish Rainfall Radar 02

BoM advice:

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 15
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 5:05pm on Saturday the 7th of March 2009

A Cyclone WARNING remains current for coastal and island communities from Townsville to Yeppoon. A Cyclone WATCH remains current for coastal and island communities from Yeppoon to Hervey Bay.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a category 4 cyclone, is located in the northwestern Coral Sea and at 4:00 pm EST was estimated to be 240 kilometres north of Hayman Is and 235 kilometres northeast of Ayr, moving south southeast at 19 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish is expected to continue moving south to southeast parallel to the coast.

Damaging wind gusts may affect coastal and island communities between Townsville and Yeppoon during the next 24 hours.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may affect coastal and island communities between Ayr and St Lawrence.

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS may affect the Whitsunday Islands early Sunday morning as the Cyclone passes to the east.

Damaging wind gusts may develop about coastal and island communities between Yeppoon and Hervey Bay [including Heron and Lady Elliot Islands] within 24 to 48 hours.

As the cyclone moves southward overnight, sea levels are expected to be elevated above the normal tide along the coastline south of the cyclone. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Areas of heavy rainfall may cause flooding in some coastal streams and rivers between Townsville and Rockhampton during the next 24 hours.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish at 4:00 pm EST:

• Centre located near…… 17.9 degrees South 148.8 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 19 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the south southeast at 19 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 260 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 4
• Central pressure……… 950 hectoPascals

People between Bowen and Mackay should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. Boats and outside property should be secured before nightfall.

People between Townsville and Yeppoon should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Yeppoon and Hervey Bay should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Cyclone Hamish Satellite Image via US Navy

Cyclone Hamish Satellite Image 00

Cyclone Hamish, roughly level with us. Fresh from the US Navy

More Cyclone Hamish updates.

Invisible Cyclone Hamish

Invisible Cyclone Hamish 00

Invisible Cyclone Hamish 01

An unsurprisingly invisible cyclone as it’s way over the horizon. Thankfully.

For those that wish to see Hamish in real-time then have a peek at the BoM Rainfall Radar page.

More Cyclone Hamish updates.