After two days of planning the weather has changed from blue skies and light winds to a more ominous dark grey, with light rain and constant thunder in the background. The spiral arms, reminiscent of those of a distant galaxy, are now starting to sweep over NE Arnhem Land bringing instability and rain. The red and amber returns in the image above are associated with storm cells.
MAF brought all of its aircraft into Gove yesterday afternoon and left the families in the communities in accordance with our wishes. We are now waiting for the strong winds and finalising our preparations. We have gas stoves, water stored in readiness , torches and candles, and inverter backup from car batteries to try to keep fridges and freezers running if we lose power for an extended period. The garden has been cleared of loose objects and we are restraining items at risk of turning over or becoming airborne.
MAF brought all of its aircraft into Gove yesterday afternoon and left the families in the communities in accordance with our wishes. We are now waiting for the strong winds and finalising our preparations. We have gas stoves, water stored in readiness , torches and candles, and inverter backup from car batteries to try to keep fridges and freezers running if we lose power for an extended period. The garden has been cleared of loose objects and we are restraining items at risk of turning over or becoming airborne.
The forecast track has moved northwards but we remain within the range of possible overhead tracks, and will get the heavy rain and strong winds even if it tracks offshore. So far the cyclone has developed from the tropical low as planned but has not veered to the west as expected. It could even make another loop of the Gulf of Carpentaria, either strengthening or diminishing.
The church leadership agreed to postpone the 'main event' of the Thanksgiving to next weekend to allow other communities to join them. Some visitors have arrived, but MAF's withdrawal of its aircraft has limited the numbers that could travel at subsidised rates. The celebrations have started but Sunday promises to be a wet and windy day.
David has been attending the daily Galiwin'ku cyclone planning meetings, co-ordinated by the Northern Territory Police and under the supervision of the Region Controller based in Katherine.
Links to the sources of the above images for real-time updates:
Cyclone track forecast: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/index.shtml
Radar rainfall images: www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR092.loop.shtml
The church leadership agreed to postpone the 'main event' of the Thanksgiving to next weekend to allow other communities to join them. Some visitors have arrived, but MAF's withdrawal of its aircraft has limited the numbers that could travel at subsidised rates. The celebrations have started but Sunday promises to be a wet and windy day.
David has been attending the daily Galiwin'ku cyclone planning meetings, co-ordinated by the Northern Territory Police and under the supervision of the Region Controller based in Katherine.
Links to the sources of the above images for real-time updates:
Cyclone track forecast: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/index.shtml
Radar rainfall images: www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR092.loop.shtml
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