An update on Tropical Cyclone Ingrid by Elizabeth Saary
The top story today is still Tropical Cyclone Ingrid. This powerful storm is threatening parts of Queensland, Australia and is thought to be the most powerful storm in this area for over thirty years.
Yesterday, as Everton Fox reported, the storm had reached category five as classified by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. This is the highest category – used only for the most powerful storms. Today the system has weakened slightly and is now being classified as a category four storm. As of 0900GMT this morning, the maximum gusts of wind within the system were thought to be around 130 knots which is around 150 mph or 240 km/h.
The storm is expected to track across the Cape York Peninsula in the northern tip of Queensland and out into the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
As of 0900GMT, the eye of the storm was still around 50miles or 80km offshore but getting ever nearer. It was expected that the storm would make landfall sometime today, although the outer reaches of the system were already having an effect.
Some people have already evacuated the area around where the storm was expected to hit whilst others were stocking up on supplies and barricading their homes, preparing for the worst. The areas between Cape Flattery and Coen were expected to bear the brunt of the storm.
The situation has been complicated by the fact that high tides are expected around the time that the storm hits which will increase the storm surge and subsequent risk of flooding. Sandbag defences were being prepared in coastal locations.
The storm is thought to be nearly as powerful as Cyclone Tracy which destroyed parts of Darwin on Christmas Day 1974 so people are understandably nervous and keeping a close eye on developments.
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