Tropical Cyclone Larry

[Aussie Big Ben]

Larry has strengthened rapidly and is projected to reach Category 4 in the next 24 hours.

for the forecast track map.

Looks like being category 3 or 4 when she makes landfall which will be the strongest east coast cyclone for quite a few years.

Below is the latest advisory from the BOM website.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: For Broadcast within the hour. The Standard Emergency Warning Signal

should NOT be used with this warning.

TOP PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 5

Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane

Issued at 10:47pm on Saturday the 18th of March 2006

A Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island communities from Cape

Flattery to Mackay.

At 10 pm AEST Saturday, Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, category 3 with central

pressure 970 hectopascals, was centred in the Coral Sea near latitude 17.2 south

and longitude 154.2 east, about 900 km east of Cairns. The cyclone is expected

to intensify further, and move towards the west at about 22 km/h over the next

24 hours. The centre of Tropical Cyclone Larry is likely to be near the

Queensland coast early Monday morning.

Damaging winds with gusts to 120 km/h are expected to develop about the

Whitsunday Islands late Sunday afternoon, and extend to the coast between Cape

Flattery and Mackay overnight Sunday.

Very destructive winds, with gusts to 230 km/h, may develop on the coast between

Cape Tribulation and Bowen on Monday morning.

As the centre approaches the coast, sea levels are likely to rise well above the

normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas near the

shoreline.

Heavy to flood rains are likely to develop near the coast between Cairns and

Mackay during Sunday night.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Category 3, for 10 PM AEST Saturday

Central Pressure : 970 Hectopascals

Location of Centre : within 40 kilometres of

latitude 17.2 degrees south

longitude 154.2 degrees east

about 900 kilometres east of Cairns

Recent Movement : West-southwest at 22 kilometres per hour

Destructive winds : out to 80 kilometres from the centre

Maximum wind gusts : 170 kilometres per hour, intensifying

People between Cape Flattery and Mackay should continue preparations, and in

particular secure boats and property.

The next advice will be issued at 2am AEST Sunday.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's

website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State

Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

[Roger J Smith]

Latest map (on a rather large scale) from Australia's weather service. Please note, the general link for all your down-under weather info is at

bom.gov.au

(bom = bureau of meteorology and sheep-dipping, Bruce)

Okay, I can't download this as an image so block copy it:

<< http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/national/charts/synoptic.shtml >>

[Mondy]

This is a fairly good site too, Roger - although US: http://www.independentwx.com/

[wolves78]

IDQP0005

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: For Broadcast within the hour. The Standard Emergency Warning Signal

should NOT be used with this warning.

TOP PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 7

Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane

Issued at 4:40am on Sunday the 19th of March 2006

A Tropical Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island communities

from Cape Flattery to Mackay.

At 4 am AEST Sunday, Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, category 3 with central

pressure 965 hectopascals, was centred in the Coral Sea near latitude 17.4 south

and longitude 152.8 east, about 750 km east of Cairns. The cyclone is expected

to intensify further, and move towards the west at about 25 km/h over the next

24 hours. The centre of Tropical Cyclone Larry is likely to be near the

Queensland coast early Monday morning.

Damaging winds with gusts to 120 km/h are expected to develop about the

Whitsunday Islands late this afternoon, and extend to the coast between Cape

Flattery and Mackay overnight Sunday.

Very destructive winds, with gusts to 230 km/h, may develop on the coast between

Cape Tribulation and Bowen on Monday morning.

As the centre approaches the coast, sea levels are likely to rise well above the

normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas near the

shoreline.

Heavy to flood rains are likely to develop near the coast between Cairns and

Mackay during Sunday night.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Category 3, for 4 am AEST Sunday

Central Pressure : 965 Hectopascals

Location of Centre : within 40 kilometres of

latitude 17.4 degrees south

longitude 152.8 degrees east

about 750 kilometres east of Cairns

Recent Movement : West-southwest at 25 kilometres per hour

Destructive winds : out to 80 kilometres from the centre

Maximum wind gusts : 170 kilometres per hour, intensifying

People between Cape Flattery and Mackay should continue preparations, and in

particular secure boats and property.

The next advice will be issued at 8am AEST Sunday.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's

website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State

Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

WTPS31 PGTW 182100

MSGID/GENADMIN/NAVPACMETOCCEN PEARL HARBOR HI/JTWC//

SUBJ/TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING//

RMKS/

1. TROPICAL CYCLONE 17P (LARRY) WARNING NR 004

01 ACTIVE TROPICAL CYCLONE IN SOUTHPAC

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS BASED ON ONE-MINUTE AVERAGE

---

WARNING POSITION:

181800Z --- NEAR 17.6S 152.9E

MOVEMENT PAST SIX HOURS - 260 DEGREES AT 14 KTS

POSITION ACCURATE TO WITHIN 040 NM

POSITION BASED ON CENTER LOCATED BY SATELLITE

PRESENT WIND DISTRIBUTION:

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 060 KT, GUSTS 075 KT

RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 015 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT

015 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT

015 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

015 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT

RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 080 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT

100 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT

100 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

080 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT

REPEAT POSIT: 17.6S 152.9E

---

FORECASTS:

12 HRS, VALID AT:

190600Z --- 17.9S 150.2E

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 065 KT, GUSTS 080 KT

RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 020 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT

020 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT

020 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

020 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT

RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 095 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT

110 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT

110 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

095 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT

VECTOR TO 24 HR POSIT: 265 DEG/ 13 KTS

---

24 HRS, VALID AT:

191800Z --- 18.2S 147.4E

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 075 KT, GUSTS 090 KT

RADIUS OF 064 KT WINDS - 010 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT

010 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT

010 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

010 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT

RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 020 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT

020 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT

020 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

020 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT

RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 115 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT

125 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT

OVER WATER

110 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

OVER WATER

105 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT

OVER WATER

VECTOR TO 36 HR POSIT: 260 DEG/ 11 KTS

---

36 HRS, VALID AT:

200600Z --- 18.5S 145.0E

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 025 KT, GUSTS 035 KT

DISSIPATED AS A SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER LAND

---

REMARKS:

182100Z POSITION NEAR 17.7S 152.2E.

TROPICAL CYCLONE (TC) 17P (LARRY), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 410 NM EAST

OF CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA HAS TRACKED WESTWARD AT 14 KNOTS OVER THE PAST

SIX HOURS. TC 17P CONTINUES TO TRACK ALONG THE NORTHERN PERIPHERY OF

A RIDGE SITUATED TO THE SOUTH. THE SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY

STRENGTHEN IN A LOW VERTICAL WIND SHEAR ENVIRONMENT ALTHOUGH THE

LACK OF A WELL DEFINED OUTFLOW CHANNEL WILL LIMIT INTENSIFICATION.

THE STORM WILL RAPIDLY WEAKEN AFTER TAU 24 AS IT INTERACTS WITH THE

COASTAL MOUNTAINS BETWEEN TOWNSVILLE AND CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA. MAXIMUM

SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT AT 181800Z IS 18 FEET. NEXT WARNINGS AT 190300Z,

190900Z, 191500Z, AND 192100Z.//

NNNN

Edited March 18, 2006 by wolves78

[P.K.]

Not looking good here with Larry forecast to reach cat 4 just off the coast of Cairns. Currently 70kts, 965hPa.

HIGH SEAS WEATHER WARNING FOR METAREA 10 ISSUED BY THE AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF

METEOROLOGY, BRISBANE 1812 UTC 18 March 2006

HURRICANE WARNING FOR NORTH EASTERN AREA

SITUATION

Tropical cyclone Larry with central pressure 965 hectopascals centred at

181800UTC near 17.4S 152.8E and moving westwards at 14 knots. Position good. The

cyclone is expected to continue intensifying as it moves in a general westerly

direction.

AREA AFFECTED

Within 250nm of the low centre in the southern semi-circle and within 150 nm in

the northern semi-circle.

FORECAST

Clockwise winds 34/45 knots with winds above 48 knots within 40nm and maximum

winds reaching 70 knots near the centre. Maximum winds increasing to 90 knots

near the centre in the next 12 to 24 hours. Seas rising from very rough to

phenomenal over the next 24 hours on a heavy swell.

Forecast positions

Near 17.5S 149.9E at 190600UTC with maximum winds 80 knots; and

Near 17.5S 147.2E at 191800UTC with maximum winds 90 knots.

REMARKS

All ships in the area please send weather reports every three hours. Regular

weather observing ships use normal channels. Other ships please use either

email to marwxqld@bom.gov.au or fax to +61732398776 or satellite to SAC 41

through Land Earth Station Perth 222.

WEATHER BRISBANE

[Mondy]

Townsville Radar

[Aussie Big Ben]

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65240.shtml

The above threat map intimates that Larry will make landfall as a cat 4. Currently a Cat 4 and intensifying.

IDQP0005

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: For immediate broadcast. Transmitters in the area Cape Tribulation to

Mackay are requested to use the Standard Emergency Warning Signal.

TOP PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 10

Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane

Issued at 1:54pm on Sunday the 19th of March 2006

A Tropical Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island communities

from Cape Tribulation to Mackay, and extending to inland areas about Croydon,

Greenvale and Charters Towers.

A Tropical Cyclone Watch extends inland to near the Normanton area.

The warning between Cape Flattery and Cape Tribulation has been cancelled.

At 1 pm AEST Sunday, Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, category 4 with central

pressure 950 hectopascals, was centred in the Coral Sea near latitude 17.7 south

and longitude 150.4 east, about 460 km east of Innisfail. The cyclone is

expected to intensify further, and move in a general westerly direction at about

25 to 30 km/h over the next 24 hours. The centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone

Larry is likely to be near the Queensland coast early Monday morning.

Damaging winds with gusts to 120 km/h are expected to develop about the

Whitsunday Islands late this afternoon, and extend to the coast between Cape

Tribulation and Mackay tonight.

Very destructive winds may develop on the coast between Cairns and Bowen on

Monday morning, with maximum wind gusts reaching 280 km/h near the centre of the

cyclone.

Coastal residents between Cairns and Townsville are specifically warned of the

dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to

steadily rise up to a level which will be significantly above the normal tide,

with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas extending

some way inland. 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 follow advice regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so

by the authorities.

Heavy rains are likely to develop near the coast between Cairns and Mackay

Monday morning and this will lead to significant stream and river rises and

flooding of low lying areas.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Category 4, for 1 pm AEST Sunday

Central Pressure : 950 Hectopascals

Location of Centre : within 40 kilometres of

latitude 17.7 degrees south

longitude 150.4 degrees east

about 460 kilometres east of Innisfail

Recent Movement : West at 25/30 kilometres per hour

Destructive winds : out to 120 kilometres from the centre

Maximum wind gusts : 230 kilometres per hour, intensifying

People between Cape Tribulation and Mackay and the adjacent inland should

complete preparations before nightfall, especially the protection of boats and

other property.

People over inland areas around Normanton and Croydon should consider what

action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

The next advice will be issued at 5 pm AEST Sunday.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's

website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State

Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

[Mondy]

Looks very strong on the IR :o

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-tim...m/dvor-nh26.GIF

[Aussie Big Ben]

Larry dropped 15 hectopascals in 3 hours and is still intensifying.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: For immediate broadcast. Transmitters in the area Cape Tribulation to

Mackay are requested to use the Standard Emergency Warning Signal.

TOP PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 11

Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane

Issued at 4:51pm on Sunday the 19th of March 2006

A Tropical Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island communities

from Cape Tribulation to Mackay, and extending to inland areas about Croydon,

Greenvale and Charters Towers.

A Tropical Cyclone Watch extends inland to near the Normanton area.

At 4 pm AEST Sunday, Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, category 4 with central

pressure 935 hectopascals, was centred in the Coral Sea near latitude 17.6 south

and longitude 149.7 east, about 390 km east of Innisfail. The cyclone is

expected to intensify further, and move in a general westerly direction at about

25 km/h over the next 24 hours. The centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry is

likely to be near the Queensland coast early Monday morning.

Damaging winds with gusts to 120 km/h are expected to develop about the

Whitsunday Islands late this afternoon, and extend to the coast between Cape

Tribulation and Mackay tonight.

Very destructive winds may develop on the coast between Cairns and Bowen on

Monday morning, with maximum wind gusts reaching 280 km/h near the centre of the

cyclone.

Coastal residents between Cairns and Townsville are specifically warned of the

dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to

steadily rise up to a level which will be significantly above the normal tide,

with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas extending

some way inland. People living in areas should be prepared to evacuate if

advised by authorities.

A preliminary flood warning has been issued for coastal rivers and streams

between Innisfail and Mackay.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Category 4, for 4 pm AEST Sunday

Central Pressure : 935 Hectopascals

Location of Centre : within 20 kilometres of

latitude 17.6 degrees south

longitude 149.7 degrees east

about 390 kilometres east of Innisfail

Recent Movement : West at 25 kilometres per hour

Destructive winds : out to 120 kilometres from the centre

Maximum wind gusts : 240 kilometres per hour, intensifying

People between Cape Tribulation and Mackay and the adjacent inland should

complete preparations before nightfall, especially the protection of boats and

other property.

People over inland areas around Normanton and Croydon should consider what

action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

The next advice will be issued at 8 pm AEST Sunday.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's

website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State

Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

[Mondy]

Townsville webcam

[kold weather]

Yeah the fact thats its getting stronger is hardly suprising given the way it looks on satilite at the moment, looks to be around 100kts to me, really very impressive at the moment.

will probably landfall as a cat-5.

[Kain]

Looks like another system if following behind it too!

Oh dear, I have mates in northern oz...

Kain

[Mondy]

Newswire

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/SHGMSIR.JPG

Edited March 19, 2006 by Mondy the clumsy

[Aussie Big Ben]

Reports now hourly, which is rare. Dropped another 10 hectapascals and is now 925HP with gusts to 280kmh (174mph) just under cat 5 by 6 mph and Larry is still intensifying!

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: For immediate broadcast. Transmitters in the area Cape Tribulation to

Mackay are requested to use the Standard Emergency Warning Signal.

TOP PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 12

Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane

Issued at 7:50pm on Sunday the 19th of March 2006

A Tropical Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island communities

from Cape Tribulation to Mackay, and extending to inland areas about Croydon,

Greenvale and Charters Towers.

A Tropical Cyclone Watch extends inland to near the Normanton area.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry poses a very serious threat to life and property

and hourly warnings will now commence.

At 7 pm AEST Sunday, Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Category 4 with central

pressure 925 hectopascals, was centred in the Coral Sea near latitude 17.6 south

and longitude 149.0 east, about 315 km east of Innisfail. The cyclone is

expected to intensify further, and move in a general westerly direction at about

25 km/h over the next 24 hours.

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE of SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE LARRY with extreme gusts up

to 280 km/hr should cross the coast between INNISFAIL and MISSION BEACH between

7am and 9am MONDAY MORNING. DESTRUCTIVE winds are expected to commence along

the coast between INGHAM and PORT DOUGLAS early MONDAY MORNING. GALES are

already being experienced along the exposed coast in the warning area.

Coastal residents between Cairns and Townsville are specifically warned of the

dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to

steadily rise up to a level which will be significantly above the normal tide,

with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas extending

some way inland. People living in areas should be prepared to evacuate if

advised by authorities.

A preliminary flood warning has been issued for coastal rivers and streams

between Innisfail and Mackay.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Category 4, for 7 pm AEST Sunday

Central Pressure : 925 Hectopascals

Location of Centre : within 20 kilometres of

latitude 17.6 degrees south

longitude 149.0 degrees east

about 315 kilometres east of Innisfail

Recent Movement : West at 25 kilometres per hour

Destructive winds : out to 120 kilometres from the centre

Maximum wind gusts : 280 kilometres per hour, intensifying

People in the path of this VERY DANGEROUS CYCLONE should stay calm and remain in

a secure shelter - above the expected water level - while the very destructive

winds continue. Do not venture outside if you find yourself in the eye of the

cyclone - very destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any

time. Follow the evacuation advice or directions of Police or State Emergency

Service personnel.

People over inland areas around Normanton and Croydon should consider what

action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

The next warning will be issued at 9 pm AEST Sunday.

[Mondy]

If this system was in the Atlantic, it'd be headline news at the moment. This thing is enormous. It's gonna be a CAT 5 on landfall (albeit it has technically made landfall on the coral islands already).

19/0833 UTC 17.7S 149.0E T5.5/5.5 LARRY -- South Pacific Ocean

https://afweather.afwa.af.mil/cgi-bin/loope...gi?UGMSVS01_L,6

Edited March 19, 2006 by Mondy the clumsy

[Flemish Weather Freak]

This system is developing so fast. The pressure is falling almost as fast as it did with Wilma. :o

And am I right seeing the next system developping to the East of Larry? :o

http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/globalir.html

Edited March 19, 2006 by Flemish Weather Freak

[Rob]

Oh, ive missed out on this can someone fill me in?

[Mondy]

Movie of Larry

Edited March 19, 2006 by Mondy the clumsy

[BARRY]

as it gets light out in oz try this site for coastal views

www.coastalwatch.com

ps. double click the picture for a full screen

Edited March 19, 2006 by BARRY

[Mondy]

I notice Fiji has issued a warning for the system east of Larry. Headed in the same direction WSW :lol:

Live feed from Townsville radio- plays music too (and it's not very good music at that)!

http://crocs.nqld.net.au/

Edit: Just a word of warning about that radio staion - damn thing keeps screwing my internet connection - on broadband too :lol:

Edited March 19, 2006 by Mondy the clumsy

[Mondy]

Looks like it's wobbling all over the place: http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/sohemiloops/shirgmscol.html

[Mondy]

Thousands of residents are fleeing parts of far north Queensland in the path of Cyclone Larry as authorities compare the violent storm to America's Hurricane Katrina.

Larry could intensify to a category five - the most intense rating for a cyclone - by the time it hits between Innisfail and Cardwell, south of Cairns, about 7.30am (AEST) Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Mandatory evacuations have been enforced in numerous low-lying seafront areas, including in the Johnstone and Cardwell shires, expected to bear the brunt of the cyclone and its four metre storm surge.

In addition to the evacuation of island resorts in the path of the cyclone, emergency authorities also have warned residents in low-lying areas between Cairns and Townsville to "seriously consider" leaving.

Disaster coordination centres were activated in Cairns and Townsville while the state government sent response teams from Brisbane, in response to imminent destruction caused by gale force winds, torrential rain and flooding.

"There have been mandatory evacuations of coastal shires south of Cairns ... and emergency shelters set up for people who feel at risk with nowhere to go," said a Cairns City Council Disaster Coordination Centre spokesman.

"It's most likely thousands of people are evacuating to avoid the high tide."

The rapidly approaching category four cyclone, which sat 470km east of Innisfail in the Coral Sea, is about 300 to 400 kilometres in width and expected to pack winds of up to 280 kph.

Counter Disaster and Rescue Services (CDRS) executive director Frank Pagano compared the potential force of Larry to Katrina, which ravaged the United States' Gulf states in August last year, killing more than 1,400 people.

"This is the most devastating cyclone that we could potentially see on the east coast of Queensland for decades ... there is going to be destruction," Mr Pagano told reporters in Brisbane.

"Katrina was a category five - this is currently a category four that can develop similar to the American one.

"But it's important to note that Queensland doesn't have the risk of communities below sea level and levee banks (that broke in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina)."

Due to its large size and strength, Larry was expected to reach up to 100km inland before diminishing, Mr Pagano said.

Petrol stations have recorded a massive spike in business with residents filling up their tanks to drive south or inland, while supermarkets have been inundated by people stocking up on supplies.

Education Queensland has announced schools in the Cardwell, Johnstone and Hinchinbrook shires and in part of Thuringowa Shire, north from Bohlevale to Northern Beaches, would be closed.

Cairns Port Authority spokeswoman Kerry Egerton said flights to Cairns and Townsville airports also had been suspended.

A spokesman for airline carrier MacAir said planes had been flown to Mount Isa to protect them from storm damage and flooding.

Cardwell BP Service Station owner Rachael King said business had been "non-stop" with people "getting into their cars and driving wherever they can get to".

"The population is about 13,000 ... I reckon half of them are on their way out," Ms King said.

"SES are evacuating the waterfront ... people are packing up and leaving and the people who are staying are getting prepared for it.

"The whole town is also out of bread and there's not a lot of food left ... our tiny supermarket has been cleared out."

The cyclone was expected to be felt well beyond the stretch between Cairns and Townsville, with strong winds and rain to descend as far north as Cape Tribulation, south to Mackay and inland, the weather bureau said.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the evacuations were enforced following the signing of a declaration of a disaster situation for the districts of Cairns, Innisfail, Mareeba, Townsville, Mount Isa and Mackay.

He encouraged residents to remain calm but ensure they take all necessary precautions.

"Listen to the authorities in your local area," Mr Beattie said.

"Voluntary evacuations have taken place in some areas such as Johnstone, Cardwell and Hinchinbrook Shire and you will be advised if evacuations are necessary where you live.

"Regular updates and safety messages are being broadcast on ABC radio and local commercial television and radio."

© 2006 AAP

[londonsnow]

sorry, daft question. is cat 5 for pacific cyclones such as larry the same in terms of windspeed as the saffir simpson scale categorisation used for hurricanes in the atlantic

[Aussie Big Ben]

sorry, daft question. is cat 5 for pacific cyclones such as larry the same in terms of windspeed as the saffir simpson scale categorisation used for hurricanes in the atlantic

Not sure but I believe a Cat 5 cyclone requires 180m/h wind gust. 280km/h wind gusts (current) is about 174 so Larry is close.

However now that the eye moves closer to land I don't expect any further strengthening, lots of islands/coral reefs to pass over.

[londonsnow]

Not sure but I believe a Cat 5 cyclone requires 180m/h wind gust. 280km/h wind gusts (current) is about 174 so Larry is close.

However now that the eye moves closer to land I don't expect any further strengthening, lots of islands/coral reefs to pass over.

thanks aussie. are you in australia? if so hopefully not in the path of larry