IDQP0005 Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre Media: Transmitters serving the area from Cape Flattery to Sarina and inland to areas east of Croydon to Richmond are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the following warning. TOP PRIORITY TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 19 Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane Issued at 6:59pm EST on Wednesday the 2nd of February 2011 A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal and island communities from Cape Flattery to Sarina, extending west across the tropical interior to the Northern Territory border. At 7:00 pm EST Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Category 5 was estimated to be 150 kilometres east northeast of Innisfail and 175 kilometres east of Cairns and moving west southwest at 29 kilometres per hour. SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE YASI IS A LARGE AND VERY POWERFUL TROPICAL CYCLONE AND POSES AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY WITHIN THE WARNING AREA. THE VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE OF CYCLONE YASI WILL CROSS THE COAST NEAR INNISFAIL CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT, ACCOMPANIED BY A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE SOUTH OF THE CYCLONE CENTRE. Tropical Cyclone Yasi, CATEGORY 5, will continue to move in a west-southwesterly direction and is expected to cross the coast near Innisfail close to midnight. Coastal residents between Cairns and Ayr are specifically warned of an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SEA LEVEL RISE [i.e. storm tide] as the cyclone approaches, crosses the coast and moves inland. The sea is likely to steadily rise up to a level which will be VERY DANGEROUSLY above the normal tide, with EXTREMELY DAMAGING WAVES, STRONG CURRENTS and FLOODING of low-lying areas extending some way inland. The storm tide will persist for many hours after landfall of the cyclone and secondary peaks may occur around high tide on Thursday morning. Higher than normal tides will exceed the high water mark with damaging waves and flooding in low lying areas in remaining warning areas to the south of Ayr. 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 instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by authorities. DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts in excess of 125 km/hr between Port Douglas and Ayr are expected to spread into the eastern tropical interior overnight. VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts up to 290 km/hr are expected to develop between Cairns and Ingham during the next few hours as the cyclone approaches and crosses the coast near midnight. These VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds will also occur to the north of the cyclone and affect the Atherton Tablelands. Due to the large size of the cyclone, people in the path of the VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS are likely to experience these conditions for about 3 to 4 hours. DAMAGING WINDS with gusts to 90 km/hr are occurring in remaining coastal areas between Cape Flattery and Sarina, and are forecast to spread into the tropical interior overnight and west to Mt Isa during Thursday. Winds are forecast to gradually ease about the east coast during Thursday morning as the cyclone moves inland. FLOODING RAINS will develop from Cooktown to Sarina during this evening and then extend inland overnight. People in the path of the 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, Emergency Services personnel and local authorities. People in remaining areas between Cape Flattery and Sarina and extending west across the tropical interior to the Northern Territory border, should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. - Boats and outside property should be secured. - For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website [www.disaster.qld.gov.au] - For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service [SES] on 132 500 [for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage]. Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi at 7:00 pm EST: .Centre located near...... 17.2 degrees South 147.4 degrees East .Location accuracy........ within 20 kilometres .Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 29 kilometres per hour .Wind gusts near centre... 285 kilometres per hour .Severity category........ 5 .Central pressure......... 930 hectoPascals Please ensure that neighbours have heard and understood this message, particularly new arrivals or those who may not fully understand English. The next advice will be issued by 8:00 pm EST Wednesday 02 February. 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.