krazykitkat | (no subject)

Larry's now down to Category 2 as he moves across Queensland. Huge amount of wind damage, but luckily it was fast moving (about 25 km/hr), so flooding isn't expected to be too bad due to lack of sustained rainfall, and it didn't coincide with high tide (though there were mandatory evacuations of low lying areas). The townships in the path have a lot of property damage, some areas up to 50-80% of houses seriously damaged, apparently mainly the older houses that were built before the codes were tightened. But only some minor injuries and looks like no deaths.

Main problem seems to be that it's virtually decimated Australia's banana crops. They're estimating fruit losses of $350 million and about 4000 jobs, more than 80% of the bananas growing in this country are gone.

Another cyclone, Wati, has formed in the Coral Sea, and while further out, may follow the same path over the next few days. On a selfish note, as long as there's no more forming (and we're late in the season now), my forecast is right on. 7 overall, and 3 in the Coral Sea.

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Woof, I didn't even REALISE your season had started! Bah. What're the official dates?

Sorry about the bananas. Really. At least they tend to grow quickly, the damage might mostly recover by next year.

November to April/May.

Just as well I don't eat bananas. There's going to be a huge shortage for the next year, and prices are going to be extreme.

Heh. "The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from 1 June to 30 November." It figures, almost exact opposites again. Easy to remember, at least.

At least Santa wears his bermudas and fires up the grill the same way at the same time. ;)

But only some minor injuries and looks like no deaths.

Wow. Considering the strength of that sucker when it hit, it's amazing no one has been killed. Sorry it had to happen at all, though. :(

Not sure whether it was luck or good management.

Bush called and offered his sympathy and help...I think we'd do better without it ;)