Cyclone Ita

[Wilbor]

Cat 5, wow . As at 0800 this morning (Friday) it is still tracking to cross the coast just north of Cape Flattery, will wait and see if it swings further south in the next 6-8 hours. Cooktown could be hit real bad either way, Cape Flattery is not that far north.

Anyway, you may have seen the news and already know about Ita. The point of this post is about the number of travellers up in the north already. Over the past few weeks I have seen so many caravans (and a few motorhomes) heading north from our place near the Cardwell Range. Normally the pilgrimage doesn't start till after Easter but this year it appears to have started early. Every time I drive into town (about 15klm south along the highway) I pass 8-10 caravans heading up the coast. I hope they have not tempted fate to get a good site before the cyclone season ends, Ita could really put a spanner in their works

[Greynomad]

You reckon there will be lots of cheap caravan parts available after Ita has been & gone?

[Mrcoolabah1au]

Mite be a couple winni floting around tooo

[dream4red]

Firewood maybe or kindling to start the barbie.
Lets hope that people with movable homes have used their brains and moved out of the way of the destruction. I suspect their will still be those who are prepared to tempt fate and risk others lives when they need to be saved from the dangers.

[Bobrovin]

I suspect their will still be those who are prepared to tempt fate and risk others lives when they need to be saved from the dangers.

Seen the guy in charge up there on today saying that it will be no use ringing anyone for help as both SES and police will not be coming to help. They are going nowhere until the winds stop. If you risk it you will be on your own.

[Wilbor]

Drove up to Cardwell this arvo and you wouldn't believe the traffic coming south, counted over 30 caravans and lost count on the number of wizbangs. Army were heading north in big numbers, complete with backhoes and BIG gen sets. Not looking to good for Cooktown tonight Has been raining here most of the day and I expect that will increase a tad over the next few days.

Stocked up with fuel for the generator and a bit of extra milk, we still have our normal extra wet season supplies in the pantry. Hope I have enough booze

[Craig]

Firewood maybe or kindling to start the barbie.
Lets hope that people with movable homes have used their brains and moved out of the way of the destruction. I suspect their will still be those who are prepared to tempt fate and risk others lives when they need to be saved from the dangers.

Unfortunately Deborah that is not an option for everyone and we are still in Cairns. But having lived for more than 30 years in FNQ and lost count of cyclones we have been in, I suppose I am a better judge than most on whether to stay or go.

[Dot]

Just hope everyone uses their brains. If I lived up there I reckon I would have a bomb shelter out the back yard, Scary stuff those cyclones. I went through cyclone Bola in NZ

[Greynomad]

I'm with you, Dottie!
Buy a shipping container & have it buried in the back yard.
Cut an access hole & install a steel spiral staircase (with submarine-type waterproof hatch), air vent with water-ingress preventer & bug-filter, and electrical connection.
Then fill it with shelves of long-life food & water, and a porta-potty.
Some non-gas cooking appliance/s would have a permanent home there.
Only then would I feel confident of riding out a cyclone.

Otherwise, I'd just make sure Girt was ready to roll at a moment's notice... and have my irreplaceable stuff in suitcases ready to load...

[Shirley]

Nay, you just peg your caravan, M.H. down to the ground using star stakes about 8ft long over the axles or lower chassis & make sure you keep a window open.