cyclone advisory 53

Right, so the storm watch continues. As of 23:00 Darwin time, cyclone Ingrid is a category 5 cyclone, with sustained winds of up to 250km/hr (155mph) and gusts up to 320km/hr (195mph). It seems to be hugging the coastline, but is predicted to cross the Coburg peninsula and enter the Van Diemen Gulf sometime tomorrow. The predictions are that it will roam over the Tiwi islands to the north of us, but cyclones in this area are notorious for weird changes of direction. As near as I can tell, teh path isn't all that different from cyclone Tracy, which pretty well flattened Darwin in 1974. Currently, we are under a cyclone warning, with gale force winds expected by tomorrow night.

We have made hotel reservations for tomorrow night in Katherine, about 3 hours south of here. Not sure if we will really be heading south or not, but we're not the only ones with reservations. Keith and I spent a bit of time today lashing down things around the house, and moving sensitive lab equipment away from windows. We've had to move the university field vehicles into a building. If we go, it should be interesting with us, and the two dogs in tow.

Of course, I'm supposed to be flying out of here on Monday. We'll see if that really happens. I have a hard time believing that I'll really be getting on a plane in less than two days, particularly since the predictions are that the cyclone will be between here and Singapore (my first stop). I guess I shouldn't have been complaining about needing a few more days here to finish things.