So much for drought!

[Mad Aussie]

We had a single day last week that wasn't wet. We don't usually get so much rain around here of course and have been in drought conditions for years now. That ended with good rain earlier in the year and the past few weeks have drenched us.

We thought it was clearing up with only a couple of showers per day lately ... and now a cyclone.

Cyclone (Hurricane) Ului is bearing down on Queensland now and is a Cat 5 with winds up to 290 kph or more. This is a big storm and we are feeling the effects of the unstable weather again with showers becoming more prevalent.

So far Ului is heading more for the northern parts of Qld they tell us. It's likely to hit land as early as Wednesday.

We've wanted lots of rain for so long now (about 5 years) that I can't bring myself to complain.

Like Billy Connolly says ... "There's no such thing as 'bad' weather ... just bad clothing!"

Powerful cyclone charges towards Queensland coast | News.com.au

[casil403]

I guess it's a classic case of "Be careful what you wish for"
I hope the hurricane doesn't do too much damage or come near Brisbane.

[Bambi]

hoping that you stay safe!!! I guess that there's no bike riding in a hurricane (or cyclone)?

HOLY CRAP I just read the article. Category 5??! Katrina was a 3! I hope that it doesn't hit a populated area.


Keep us posted.

[Mad Aussie]

Today is beautiful! Just crawled out of bed (6.30am) and the skies are clear blue! That should change.

The cyclone is predicted for now to head towards the Cairns area where Chantelle has been recently. But you know these things ... they can change and this one is big so it will affect a lot of the coastline for sure.

No riding in cyclones for sure! I was riding in 40 kph winds the other day by the time we'd finished our 80 k ride and that was tough enough. I've stood in a Cat 2 cyclone and being blown over because the wind got into the hood of my jacket so don't particularly want this one to come down here.

Might be time to take up swimming

[Michaelaw]

I don't know but I'm getting bad vibes globally of late but if we've spent any time in the "Off Topic" forum we have a good idea on the color of my brainwaves I have a nagging feeling that the weather patterns are changing, perhaps the next hurdle will be global food shortages. Might be a good idea MA to stock up on a few weeks supply of bottled water and check your first aid kit.

[Mad Aussie]

I got first aid kits coming out of my ... places! We have one in the house, one in the car, one each in our camelbaks for riding, and I have another in my big toolbox for work. Even a small selection in my lunchbag for work too.

Water ... well I live about 2 k's that won't get flooded out from the local water resource

[Michaelaw]

I got first aid kits coming out of my ... places! We have one in the house, one in the car, one each in our camelbaks for riding, and I have another in my big toolbox for work. Even a small selection in my lunchbag for work too.

Water ... well I live about 2 k's that won't get flooded out from the local water resource

I think I have a band aid around here somewhere but if someone offered me a million bucks to find it...I'd still be a pauper

[casil403]

My parents live on the coast and they always talked about how they "should" have an earthquake survival kit if the big one hits. So one year I made them one for their Christmas present. I Googled what they would need and gave it to them...every now and again I add to it when I'm out of gift ideas....can never have too much dried food, water purification or first aid supplies, flashlights and silver blankets.

[Mad Aussie]

I think this cyclone will hit somewhere around Mackay - Townsville and therefore not cause us too much grief down here. It's very rare for cyclones to make it this far down. We'll get some decent wind and rain for a week or more out it most likely though.

[casil403]

I think this cyclone will hit somewhere around Mackay - Townsville and therefore not cause us too much grief down here. It's very rare for cyclones to make it this far down. We'll get some decent wind and rain for a week or more out it most likely though.

One of my flickr contacts is from Townsville so I hope she is okay. Hope it doesn't kill the pier either because that one is pretty!