Quote:


Prior experience has found that the media will trot out their talking heads and "experts" who will often give conflicting information while their reporters will usually just look for the most sensationalist angle.

That's why the disaster management guidelines now dictate that someone like the Premier is used as the primary source of information and directives.

I don't care about your 'official' news bulletin, (I am watching the news myself)... my primary concern rests with those clearly experiencing some degree of anxiety at present, be it rationalised or otherwise.

If it's a case of irresponsible reporting, or a few panic merchant locals being a little theatrical, then perhaps their fears need to be laid to rest?
Personally, I think a more uncensored and 'balanced' approach is best, particularly if their fears are justified.

Be aware of our inherent "she'll  be right mate quality"...so if these locals are truly concerned, then I am inclined to think that perhaps we should be too.

We are a proud robust race, and not inclined to 'exaggerate' normally, if anything, we generally play these things down, so....

Why are family's sitting on pink-suitcases out in the street with young children without shelter feeling anxious after having been turned away by others entrusted with the duty of sheltering tourists?

Why are these shelters already full?

Media: Transmitters serving the area from Cape Flattery to Sarina and inland to
Georgetown are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before
broadcasting the following warning.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 16
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 3:54pm EST on Wednesday the 2nd of February 2011

A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal and island communities from Cape
Flattery to Sarina, extending inland to Julia Creek and to the area west of
Croydon.

A Cyclone WATCH is current for the remaining inland parts west to the Northern
Territory border and north of Winton.

At 4:00 pm EST Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Category 5 was estimated to be 250
kilometres east of Cairns and 275 kilometres north northeast of Townsville and
moving west southwest at 35 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,
ESPECIALLY BETWEEN CAIRNS AND TOWNSVILLE.

DURING THE EVENING, THE VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE OF CYCLONE YASI WILL CROSS THE
COAST BETWEEN CAIRNS AND INGHAM, 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. The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Innisfail and
Cardwell about 11 pm EST.

Coastal residents within the warning area, and particularly between Cairns and
Proserpine including the Whitsundays, 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.

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.

DAMAGING WINDS with gusts to 90 km/h are currently affecting the coast and
islands, and are forecast to spread into the tropical interior overnight and
west to Julia Creek during Thursday.

Between Port Douglas and Ayr these winds will become DESTRUCTIVE with gusts in
excess of 125 km/h developing during this afternoon and early evening, spreading
into the tropical interior overnight. VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts up to
290 km/h are expected to develop between Cairns and Ingham during the evening as
the cyclone approaches and crosses the coast. These VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds will
also occur 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.

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 the afternoon and
then extend inland overnight.

People between Cape Flattery and Sarina, extending inland to Julia Creek and to
the area west of Croydon 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].

People about the remaining inland parts west to the Northern Territory border
and north of Winton should consider what action they will need to take if the
cyclone threat increases.
- Information is available from your local government
- 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 4:00 pm EST:
.Centre located near...... 17.1 degrees South 148.1 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 30 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 35 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 5:00 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.

Link -
http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQP0005.txt

mellie wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 4:50pm:


Again!

It comes down to individual 'perception' I guess.

Life_goes_on wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 4:42pm:


Perhaps, but are you prepared to take this chance?

This and stop concerning /writing about the matter, this and are prepared to leave a number of indigenous communities well-being in the hands of Anna Bligh.

Ps..  They just put it across the News, people , black woman with babies in their arms are crying, telling reporters they hope they get a place in a shelter soon.

So..time you changed the channel I think.  Channel 7.

So much for your talking head theory eh?!

Perhaps they employed some indigenous actresses?

Innisfail!!

mellie wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 4:54pm:


Mellie,
In this instance, if one was to err, it would be better to err on the side of overstating, than understating , the magnitude of the problem.

This is something much bigger than has been seen, in the modern Australian era.

Particularly, when considering that I believe that when the last categoy 5 cyclone hit Queensland in 1918, the total Australian Population was under 5 million and now the current Population of Queensland is over 4.6 million, this is a much greater problem being faced today!

perceptions_now wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 5:12pm:


I understand exactly what you are saying, but if there is something 'more' we could be doing, though are for some reason or another, holding back...I think I'd rather be reporting on the other side of the 'eer'..  better to be safe than sorry, yes?

Tracy was a perfect example, of how people 'under--panic'...including our government when it came to evacuation.

A day late, and a dollar short...  that's our Anna Bligh.



Quote:
I agree!