Queensland Australia Cat 4 cyclone (Australian for hurricane) landfall to be sooner than expected

[eShirl]

link with updates, countdown clock, latest radar and information
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/floodrelief/north-queensland-braces-for-cyclone-anthony-as-cyclone-yasi-brews-behind-it/story-fn7ik2te-1225997552623

12:24am: Cyclone Yasi has been upgraded to Category Four and is likely to cross the coast earlier than expected at 10pm Wedneday evening, according to the latest update from the Bureau of Meteorology.

The cyclone is currently 810km east north east of Cairns and moving west south west at 30km/h.

“Things are changing and will probably continue to change,” a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said.

11:40pm: Airlines revealed they will stop operating with QantasLink already ceasing flights, and Qantas and Continental's last flights will be tonight.

[eShirl]

1. I have a friend in Townsville who doesn't want to evacuate

She doesn't want to leave her cat; few if any emergency shelters want to take pets.

[eShirl]

2. destructive winds up to 200km on either side of the cyclone

1:17am: Bureau of Meterology senior forecaster Rick Threlfall told the Courier-Mail destructive winds will be felt up to 200km either side of it when the cyclone hits south of Cairns tomorrow night.

He warned destructive winds will certainly be felt by the afternoon.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/floodrelief/north-queensland-braces-for-cyclone-anthony-as-cyclone-yasi-brews-behind-it/story-fn7ik2te-1225997552623#ixzz1Cif03Pyw

[malaise]

3. Poor Australia

They don't need another disaster