|
ABC Online
Wed, 17 Mar 2010
MELBOURNE, Australia --- Authorities in Australia are preparing to evacuate two islands off the central Queensland coast as a category four cyclone approaches the region.
The weather bureau says Tropical Cyclone Ului is expected to make landfall this weekend between Bowen and Gladstone.
The cyclone is about 1,200 kilometres north-east of Mackay in north Queensland and 1,400 kilometres east of Cooktown in the state's far north.
Acting Police Inspector Julia Cook says ferries will take 260 residents and visitors from Heron Island and 70 people from Lady Elliott Island to the mainland over the next two days.
"It's unknown what will occur, however for safety the islands of Lady Elliott and Heron Island, they will commence evacuations today," she said.
"With the islands, you need to do it early rather than later, because the seas get so rough quite quickly.
Weather bureau spokesman Ben Annells says there is a chance the cyclone could reintensify into a category five over the next day or so.
|
