Cairns Post Saturday
23/9/2006 Page: 11
Cyclone Larry was only a "midget", according to Geoscience Australia.
Researchers who were on the ground within 48 hours of the category 5 storm have released a preliminary assessment of Cyclone Larry that categorises it as "midget because of the limited range of its destructive winds".
The report adds that coastal communities were not exposed to cyclonic winds and airborne debris for long periods as it moved relatively quickly at landfall.
"For a 'midget' cyclone, Larry packed a mean punch," it says.
Preliminary estimates of wind gusts at 10m high are between 200km/h and 235km/h, compared to 180-200km/h gusts during the longer lasting Cyclone Winifred that hit the district 20 years ago.
The report says a boat sheltering in the South Johnstone River just east of Innisfail recorded winds gusting to 225km/h, while gusts were as strong as 294km/h near Bellenden Ker's peak and weakened to 187km/h by Ravenshoe's wind farm.
Geoscience Australia has postponed a community forum planned for Innisfail this week, as a more comprehensive one would be provided in several weeks' time.
0 comments:
Post a Comment