Ului prompts disaster alert
[UPDATED 10pm]: A DISASTER situation has been declared in eight local government areas likely to be impacted by tropical cyclone Ului." title="[UPDATED 10pm]: A DISASTER situation has been declared in eight local government areas likely to be impacted by tropical cyclone Ului." A cyclone forecast map issued at 9pm on Saturday by the Bureau of Meteorology shows Ului's course as it heads for the Queensland coast.
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A DISASTER situation has pre-emptively been declared in eight local government areas likely to be impacted by tropical cyclone Ului.
At 9pm (AEST) on Saturday, tropical cyclone Ului was 145km north north-east of Mackay, travelling at a speed of 31kmh.
Premier Anna Bligh and Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts have pre-emptively declared a disaster situation in the local government areas of Townsville, Burdekin, Whitsunday, Charters Towers, Mackay, Isaac, Rockhampton and Central Highlands.
"This declaration is in anticipation that some properties may need to be evacuated in the coming hours as Tropical Cyclone Ului approaches and then crosses the North Queensland coast," The Premier said.
"The declaration gives Emergency Services agencies the power of mandatory evacuations if required."
Beware the eye of cyclone Ului
As the Qld north coast braces for winds of up to 200kmh, emergency services are warning residents to stay inside until they're told it's safe.
EMQ Regional Director for Central Region Robbie Medlin said because it may cross in the early hours of the morning, residents may wake up and think the cyclone has passed if the weather appears calm.
“We don’t want people waking up and thinking that the cyclone has passed," Mr Medlin said.
"This could be the eye of the cyclone which means the threat has not passed. Stay inside until the official advice is that it is safe to go outside.”
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, severe Tropical Cyclone Ului, was listed as Category 3 and at 10pm EST the cyclone is estimated to be 137 kilometres north north-east of Mackay and 146 kilometres east of Bowen.
The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Ayr and Mackay, most likely between Bowen and Proserpine as a severe tropical cyclone early Sunday. The cyclone is then expected to weaken inland later on Sunday
Destructive wind gusts to 200kmh near the cyclone centre may affect coastal and island communities in the threatened area early Sunday.
A cyclone warning is current for coastal areas from Cardwell to Yeppoon and inland to Hughenden, including Charters Towers and Clermont.
Heavy rainfall and flooding are likely to develop about coastal and adjacent inland areas between Bowen and St Lawrence early Sunday.
Extreme weather could limit SES
About 150 State Emergency Service Volunteers are on alert and Emergency Management Queensland staff have been deployed to key areas.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Swift Water Rescue teams are on standby at Proserpine, Ayr, Bowen and Airlie Beach.
But SES controller Justin Englert said extreme weather could limit the availability of the service, which ceased operations if wind gusts reached 100kmh.
Stock up on 'food for three days': EMQ
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the cyclone was expected to develop into a rain depression with the chance of local flooding.
"The bureau is predicting potentially 200-300mm of rain in some areas, which potentially can cause localised flooding," Mr Roberts said.
AAP reports heavy rain and flooding is expected between Bowen and St Lawrence early on Sunday.
Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) is asking residents to consider if they know what to do if a flood is threatening their home to best protect people, property and the environment.
“Cyclones often turn into rain depressions which bring substantial falls that can lead to prolonged flooding,” Mr Medlin said.
“We need people to understand that when you are isolated by a flood you may not be able to get to the shops for a number of days. People need to have supplies and be prepared to survive on their own for at least three days."
Tourists evacuated, flights cancelled
Tourists are being evacuated from the Whitsunday islands, and the Daily Mercury reports that supermarket shelves in Mackay and Airlie Beach are being stripped bare by residents rushing to stock up on food, water and batteries.
Saturday flights in and out of Proserpine Airport and Hamilton Island airport have been cancelleddue to the possibility of strong winds generated by Cyclone Ului.
Ferry services are expected to cease operations today and a disaster co-ordination centre likely to be activated in Mackay this afternoon if weather conditions deteriorate.
Ului costs fishing industry millions
While the Whitsundays is bracing for the cyclone's expected landfall on Sunday, Ului is affecting communities to the south.
Wild weather has ensured the boats in Bundaberg's fishing fleet have been moored, with one trawler operator estimating he has lost about $200,000 alone in earnings this month because of the weather.
"Every boat on the coast of Queensland is in harbour at the moment," ASP Holdings operator Seth Parker told the NewsMail.
"It's too dangerous, we value the lives of our crewmen too much to send them out in these conditions."
Events on the Capricorn Coast have been cancelled, with Queensland Health calling off planned swine flu vaccinations at a Rockhampton high school, while beaches have been closed along the coastline due to predictions of wild surf.
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