TC Yasi made Landfall

Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the coast at Mission Beach, just north of Cardwell, between Cairns and Townsville around midnight last night as a category 5 cyclone. The forecast path shown below is the Bureau's best estimate of the cyclone's future movement and intensity. There is always some uncertainty associated with tropical cyclone forecasting and the grey zone indicates the range of likely tracks of the cyclone centre.


Early reports indicate that in the township of Tully, 90% of buildings have suffered major structural damage. The good news however is there has been no loss of life reported so far.


The DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Yasi, with gusts in excess of 125 km/h, will weaken as it continues to move in a west-southwesterly direction. Yasi is SE of Georgetown and will be near Mt Isa tonight as a tropical Low.


DAMAGING WINDS, with gusts above 90 km/hr, are occurring along the coast and extend inland to Georgetown and Hughenden. They will extend further west towards Richmond and Julia Creek during the day.

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP OF TC YASI - 7.00AM 3/02/11