[News] Perth people!

[moonvoice]

Perth People - we are currently on a tropical cyclone watch for Sunday. It's no longer just the North of the state that's in trouble. As you can see.





Source - Bureau of Meterology: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW60281.shtml

"Severe Tropical Cyclone Bianca is expected to gradually weaken as it takes a more southerly track overnight. On Saturday Bianca will move in a southeasterly direction towards the southwest corner of the state while weakening steadily. However there is a significant risk that Bianca will maintain tropical cyclone intensity as it approaches the coast early on Sunday. If this scenario eventuates, coastal areas between Jurien Bay and Albany could experience DAMAGING WINDS with gusts to 120 kilometres per hour.

On Sunday tides between Jurien Bay and Cape Naturaliste are likely to rise signficantly above the normal high tide mark with VERY ROUGH SEAS, DANGEROUS SURF and FLOODING of LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS. SIGNIFICANT COASTAL EROSION is possible. Heavy rainfall is also possible on the southern side of the system. FLASH FLOODING is possible but extensive flooding is not expected.

SEVERE to EXTREME FIRE DANGERS are likely across a broad area south of a line from Geraldton to Esperance on Sunday."

Please keep a watch on the news and the radio, and stay safe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Cyclone_Bianca_%282011%29#Severe_Tropical_Cyclone_Bianca

Comments

[silverjackal]

What is the normal course of action for such things? Do you and Glen have an evacuation plan, perhaps somewhere you can go that's further inland at need?

[moonvoice]

Actually, I'll need to do some research. A cyclone hasn't landed in the city of Perth in my living memory; and I think only once in Mum's (though she's experienced tornadoes in Bunbury). So I'll call Mum and talk to her about it. Tropical cyclones are a 'north of the state' thing that normally only bring us some humidity and hot, oppressive weather (and thunderstorms). Actual warnings of possible landfall? Never happened in the 29 years I've been alive.

[bunny_m]

According to wikipedia, Cyclone Ned "Occurring between 26 March to 31 March 1989, Ned crossed the Western Australian coast near Rockingham on 1 April 1989. Rottnest and Fremantle reported wind gusts of more than 100 km/h between 6 and 7 am. Only minor damage was reported on land"

Then, of course, there was Cyclone Alby, which I remember walking to and from school through, and having an exceedingly sodden day of it.

[moonvoice]

I should've been more explicit - there's never been landfall of a cyclone in the city of Perth in my living memory. And I missed out on Cyclone Alby!

[moonvoice]

That said, we are actually significantly inland, as we're one of the more Easterly suburbs (which is why our weather is so much hotter here than on the coast -> so much closer to the desert / desert winds).

[silverjackal]

I am very relieved to hear that you will likely be out of path of danger! I'll still hope it plays out and comes to nothing before it makes landfall, though.

[spider_fox]

As if Queensland wasn't enough...I hope you stay safe too.

[moonvoice]

To be fair, it may just peter out. A lot can happen with a cyclone in around two days; but we'll see.

[tsukikokoro]

Is Ellenbrook considered a low lying coastal area? Would the "southern side" be the area near Albany? I'll be doing the equivalent of praying for you and Glen and Maybe and Moet and your home.

[moonvoice]

Ellenbrook is not a coastal area, but we're in the path if it lands. We don't have to worry about coastal erosion here though; my sister will, she's just moved back to Scarborough, which is a coastal suburb.

Problems here would be more likely - I speculate - to be things like flash flooding from very dry soil not being able to soak up the water properly (sand and dust tends to repel water if it's completely dry). Oh, and fires and power outages. That is also likely to happen here. The bushland is a tinder bush wanting to catch fire (eucalyptus oil = flammable), and so yeah... hopefully rain will stop that from happening.

[tsukikokoro]

I didn't know that about eucalyptus oil, but that makes sense. I hope the most of the problems you'll have to deal with are power outages, and I hope you won't have to deal with those.

[moonvoice]

Well it's not so much specifically eucalyptus oil, as pretty much all oil is flammable. It's that eucalyptus trees pack their bark and leaves with so much oil. It is part of their survival strategy in sclerophyll scrubland (i.e. right here) to use fire in their reproduction strategies and to do that, they must make themselves attractive to fire and able to survive it at the same time. Paperbarks, balgas, orchids and a bunch of other plants do the same.

It's also why you'll notice a lot of eucalyptus trees shed bark; it's basically long strips of fire fuel. And that, in turn, is why the Department of Environment and Conservation does controlled burns over massive tracts of bushland in Spring and Winter - to eliminate the scrubby, tinderbox undergrowth and discourage fires in Summer, and to also help the sclerophyll scrubland continue on its survival strategies.

Less good for the mammals and birds and insects and stuff that get caught up in it though. :( Some animals have adapted (one bird lays charcoal covered eggs on beds of charcoal); but... you know, fire is fire. :(

[amalnahurriyeh]

Ay yi yi. Stay safe, and I hope you don't have too much water or too long without power.

[psychrobia149]

Oh my gosh...and I thought our weather was bad. *worries* Stay safe, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the cyclone fizzles.

*hugs*

[linstar]

*smiles* Want the good news? It's not likely to affect us.

They expect it to be a Cat 1 when/if it crosses which means at most a storm, and not even a badly damaging one like March last year - in essence just a storm. The majority of this is likely to miss Perth all together, and will likely end up mainly around Bunbury. Yes they expect winds of up to 120km but you know, we get winds of up to 90 odd kms anyways around Armadale so not too much of an increase on that.

Essentially we aren't even on standby, though we will hear more about that after this evening I guess when all the Local Managers of SES have a meeting etc. But my LM said when I asked him if I should cancel my plans for Sunday, that if I have the opportunity to do something on Sunday, to go ahead and do it and on the off chance he needs me, he can call and I won't be too far away to get back.

But the basic message we got was that Bunbury should be able to take care of themselves and they aren't looking to deploy anyone yet. So I think it should all peter out hon.

*hugs you lots* I miss you. Hope we can catch up soon!

Loves you forever.

[moonvoice]

Good to know! Oh well, if it's a storm, I hope we get some lightning! I do love me some non-home-destroying storms!

I'd love to catch up a night next week! I have to check what Glen's doing; but Monday night could be good? Or Wednesday, but that's the night I'll need to check with him. I have something for you! *snugs*

Yeah, Bunbury are pretty good from memory. Mum has pretty strong memories of tornadoes down there (and a storm that ripped the roof off the lighthouse, which I also have a memory of), and I'd say if they've had serious weather before, they're probably equipped to handle it.

[paleo]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you specifically and Perth in general. Stay safe!

[feralkiss]

I think you should be alright? I mean, in my native area we have no cyclone but very strong winds with gushes that go up to 110, and 180km/h not unheard of. It damages the landscape more than the houses (especially the trees). Unless of course said damaged tree happen to fall on your house. ._.

Okay, nevermind. I'll keep my fingers so you two are safe...