As if they haven't been hit hard enough by the recent floods!
http://www.businessinsider.com/map-o...ne-yasi-2011-1

Hang in there, mates, you're in our prayers!

it just doesn't seem fair...hugs and prayers for our quilting friends...

so sorry

Are we just connected to more info than we ever have been or does it seem like storms are getting worse? Another big one headed for the midwest and northeast USA

Oh No!! Prayers being said (((HUGS)))

thoughts and prayers are with all -there and here

Yes and it looks like this, http://www.goes.noaa.gov/sohemi/sohe...hirgmscol.html catagory 4, please stay safe everyone.

HOW SCARY DOES THIS LOOK!!!!!! :shock: :shock:

i hope it blows out before it hits land been through a couple if hurricanes(cyclons) no fun last one tore shutters off one window thankfuly no dammage some of our neighbors won't so lucky will keep you in my prayers

Gday, I think storms are getting worse and the climate is also changing. I have family in Queensland also, will be watching out for them. They just can't take a break at the moment. Stay safe all around the world where ever you might be.

Thank you all for the prayers and hugs. We personally are not near the oncoming cyclone. Just heard that they are evacuating hospitals in Cairns and many folk are evacuating.

Glad to hear from you Miss Ticky, I have a good friend in Cairns, she is busy evacuating her nursing home. They are taking the old folks down to Tweed Heads, and one of the ladies is very excited - she can't wait to play the pokies!

Lol..at least she's looking on the bright side..and a free trip too :) I do hope your friend is going to be ok..is she going as well?

The cylcone has been upgraded to a category 5 this morning :( Due to start hitting within hours now

Hi everyone, guess what, I am on the very edge of this da#$ thing. It is supposed to cross the coast at a small community just north of me. My DH was flown home early from work and spent all of yesterday and today preparing our home. We have taped all the windows, secured all our personall documents and treasures, packed an emergency bag with a few changes of clothes. We have also prepared two safe rooms within our home. It is now 5pm here in Ingham and it is expected to cross the coast between 10pm and midnight tonight.

The worst past is the waiting, the wind is starting to get stronger and it has started to rain. The water has been turned off but so far we have not lost power, but that will happen. I guess we are as prepared as we can be.

Keep us in your prayers and I hope to talk to you all soon

Where are you Mirabelle? I am in Rocky and there has been a strong wind and rain since this arvo. I am scared for all of you further north. Keep safe please, this is one doozie of a storm.

:-(

Oh mirabelle- a big quilted hig to you! I have been watching the build up all day and I listed to Anna Bligh's speech which I found kind of reassuring but also kind of scary- she was obviously expecting it to be bad, and I really hope that you are safe and that your property does not suffer too much damage. Stay safe, and I hope that, against all odds, it reduces in intensity before it hits.

yall downunder are in my prayers as well. hope it blows out before it hits land. stay safe

Hi LittleMo
I am in Ingham, 100k's north of Townsville, 150 K's south of Innisfail.
the wind is picking up here, I have just cooked dinner so better eat and settle in for the night.
I hope to stay on the computer for as long as possible (is it taking my mind off everything) but we are going to lose power before this night is out.

Gday, i am with you and will be checking on you also, i have friends with children west of Cairns, you are much further up. We will all be keeping an eye/ear out for you. Not a churchy person but i hope that god is on your side to be keeping you all safe up there. My heart is with you. xoxoxoxo

My prayers to you Mirabelle..I pray you and all stay safe through this terrible time ahead.

Thank you everyone, I have been told to turn off the computer and unplug everything. One last phone call to our daughter who lives on the Sunshine Coast and hopefully I will be talking to everyone shortly.
:cry:

My GF in Cairns has rung me,she is safe at Tweed Heads, and our friends in Innisfail have been in touch with my sister, and it seems that they are all well and safe. Sending all the Queenslanders positive thoughts - if any one loses their stash, let us know - I am sure we can all help out :)

I am with you on that one, thinking of everyone.

You are all in my prayers constantly. I hope you all come through it with no major problems and losses. Living in tornado/hurricane land as I do, I can really sympathize with you.

It's morning here now and we are all anxious for news. Power and phones are out across huge areas so no one really knows yet how bad it was. Hopefully we'll start to hear very soon and get confirmation that everyone is safe.

I have been listening to the ABC, on and off all night. It seems that while there was a lot of houses destroyed, and damage, no lives were lost. One woman in Tully moved her evacuees, and the place they had been intending to stay was destroyed.
http://www.abc.net.au/

Thoughts with mirabelle in Ingham, which has been cut off by floods. She might need some new stash, people!

Thank you for your thoughts. It is now 6.30pm Friday the 11th February and I have just had power restored to our home. And where am I, on the computer letting all my friends know we are safe and well.
Will post pictures as soon as I upload them from my camera, but basically we lost a few trees in our yard, the back fence went and our power pole outside our house was severely damaged.
We had winds at over 200 kilometres an hour batter our town and most of our large trees were damaged. We had localised flooding and most of the town has been without power with some residents it will be about 6 weeks before power is restored to their properties.
It was the most frightening experience and I must admit that I have been very edgy and teary for the past couple of days, so hopefully as I put my house back in order I will feel a lot better.
Hope to talk to you all soon

Thank you for this report. I know the devastation has been wide-spread and terrrible, and you folks continue in my prayers for a hasty recovery from this horror.

I am so glad everyone was safe, and not much damage to your things.

Thank you so much for letting us know that you are OK...(((HUGS))) we have been waiting for news.
Hope things get back to normal for you and the others real soon.