Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Here we Go - Hold Tight!

Not sure how much longer we will have power. 3 p.m. and the rain has started.   Already experiencing wind gusts of 150 km/hr.   We are told that Cyclone Yasi will make landfall in 7 hours and that at the time of crossing we could experience winds of up to 300 km/hr!  We are holding our breath.

We completed all our pre cyclone jobs this morning.   Awnings and shade sails have been taken down and pot plants placed in a secure spot.   There is nothing more we can do.  All we can hope is that we don't get the full force of the "eye".   Oh how I am praying that this fierce cyclone  (apparently the worst in Queensland's history!) fizzles out before it reaches the coast.  Unfortunately  I don't think this is going to happen.

All the evacuation centres in Cairns are filled to capacity.   People from the beaches to the north of the city have been forced to evacuate - they are expecting a high tide and storm surge at 9 p.m.  If the predictions are right - a lot of these homes will be submerged.  It is just so unbelievable!

We are perched high on a hill here in the Valley - so we won't be affected by storm surges.  We are however completely surrounded by huge trees and palms.  I just hope they manage to keep standing!

Snapped this little kookaburra high up a tree in my garden.  He looks so wind swept and bedraggled.  I hope he manages to find a safe hidey spot before Yasi comes.
The rain is getting heavier now.  We have worked out an action plan and have set up a little bunker in the hall next to the bathroom.  A couple of mattresses over a table.  It's going to be a bit of a tight fit - 2 dogs + 2 cats + 2 pink galahs plus Alan, Kendall and me!   Somehow I think it is going to be a LONG night.

Thinking of all our friends along the FNQ coast tonight - especially thinking of everyone in my home town of Innisfail.  Please let them be spared - they have had more than their fair share of natural disasters.

Stay safe and HOLD TIGHT!


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17 comments:

  1. Oh Sharyne, I can't believe this. I pray for your safety my dear friend. Please hang on tight. A-M xx

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  2. Oh my goodness Sharynne! I am sending you my very best wishes and have everything crossed for you. Thinking of you lovely lady, wish there was more I could do :( Stay safe & please let us know (if possible) how things are going. Hugs to you ~ Txx

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  3. I was thinking of u today knowing u r up north. I am praying so hard! I hope it's not as bad as ecpected and I hope you and your family and friends can stay safe and unaffected! Big hugs and lots of prayers!!!! Jxx

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  4. Stay safe and well. i'll be thinking of you all.
    xox Angela.

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  5. Oh my, Sharyne. I just found you through A-M. I'm praying for you and your family tonight. J x

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  6. Hang in there lovely lady, I wish I could do something to help. All my thoughts are with you xxx

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  7. Keep safe we are praying everything is ok.

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  8. Sharyne I am saying a prayer for you right now.
    Keep safe and hang in there love Julienne xoxo

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  9. When Mum wrote Women of Gold, one of the first people to read it said there was something like 5 tragedies and 7 disasters that these families had to deal with and here we are again in FNQ dealing with more challenging disasters So Sharyne, the family of those Women of Gold are sending you courage and strength and letting you know that the whole of Australia is with you sending you loads of community support Best wishes Desley

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  10. Hi Sharyne!

    You are in my thoughts this morning!

    I remember singing, "Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree" when I was a kid. Hope all the trees, animals and of course you (folks) stay safe!

    Blessings,
    Michelle :)

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  11. Thinking of you and your family Sharyne and praying that you all come through this safely! I wish that for everyone in the path of this horrible storm!

    Kat

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  12. Keep Safe, Sharyne! We will be thinking of all of you suffering through this horrible storm and wishing you all safe from harm.
    xo,
    Jo

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  13. Pray that you have made it through the night safe and sound.
    x

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  14. Oh Sharyne, I'm hoping everything is OK with you, and that you have made it through safely. Leahxx

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