Never a dull moment

Just when you think things are quietening down, I received an email from a meteorologist about a forthcoming cyclone.  Such is the information available to meteorologists now he was able to tell me that a cyclone was likely to affect us in about one weeks’ time.  This prediction was as a result of looking at a Tropical Low that was sitting more than one thousand kilometres from us. 

It is now a few days later so preparations are now on in earnest.  Being on the most cyclone prone coast in Australia preparations for cyclones are well rehearsed.  These involve the following activities: 

-          Tying down the windmills around the property

-          Tying down the sheds

-          Putting all the vehicles undercover

-          Cleaning up around the homestead so that there is no debris lying around.

With these activities underway we sweat on every update from the Bureau of Meteorology.  Updates are currently coming at six hourly intervals – these will increase to three hourly intervals as the cyclone intensifies and comes closer to the coast. 

Cyclones are a mixed blessing in Northern Australia being welcome for the rain they bring but being feared for the destruction they deliver.  The best we can hope for is rain and not too much wind.  With this cyclone expected to be severe (ie. category 3, 4 or 5), that looks to be a forlorn hope.