Disaster team ready for cyclone

Bundaberg Mayor Cr Lorraine Pyefinch and Acting Superintendent Kev Guteridge go over disaster management plans with Tropical Cyclone Ului lingering off the coast.

Max Fleet

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Further information

Local weather forecast

Bureau of Meteorology warnings

BUNDABERG’S disaster management group met yesterday to finalise plans to deal with a possible threat from Cyclone Ului this weekend.

The cyclone is still about 1000km off the Queensland coast, tracking slowly south, but Bureau of Meteorology forecasters expect it to turn south-westerly and start approaching the Queensland coast today.

Duty forecaster Michelle Berry said yesterday the cyclone was still expected to hit land somewhere between Cardwell and Mackay.

She said the cyclone was causing significant swells up to 8m near its centre.

“As it comes closer it will start interacting with the Great Barrier Reef,” she said.

“There will be dangerous surf conditions on the whole Fraser Coast with 4m swells developing on Friday and into Saturday.”

The disaster management group yesterday considered a range of issues, including the current situation, the cyclone’s forecast track and preparation by the community and response agencies.

“The group is very prepared and I urge everyone in the community to think carefully about their own plans and continue to listen to local media for any warnings should the cyclone come closer to us,” Bundaberg mayor Lorraine Pyefinch said.

Residents are reminded to store or tie down all loose objects on their property in case of high winds.

Bundaberg Police Acting Superintendent Kev Guteridge said his team was prepared.

“Our officers are on standby and ready to help where needed,” he said.

“We would ask everyone to heed the warning, ‘hide from wind and move away from water’.”

The disaster management group would keep a watching brief this weekend.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort managing director Peter Gash said there were no plans yet to evacuate.

“We are still keeping a close watch on the situation, and we are telling everyone going out the wind is gusty and it’s going to be a wet, windy weekend,” he said.

“But people are still swimming, snorkelling and boating.”