This time last week we were completing preparations for Cyclone Ita. It was a Category 5 cyclone that was tracked to cross the coast just north of Cooktown. Cooktown is about 300km from where we live (by road) but much closer as the crow flies. Last Thursday night we high-tailed it home from Julia Creek and travelled all night to make sure that we were home to "batten down the hatches". Our gardener (and friend) had put a lot of things inside for us, including all the outside furniture, and had tied down anything that may become a missile in a Cat. 5 cyclone. We are so grateful for friends. So when we finally made it to bed on Friday night, after nearly 48 hours with little sleep, we really crashed out. So much so, in fact, that we slept through the worst of the cyclone! We awoke Saturday morning to very strong winds and rain but no structural damage.
The winds were blowing at about 100 kmh (we guess) and some trees were uprooted but nothing close to the house. The garden was buffeted by the strong winds however today, a week later, it looks no worse for wear. Over the course of the weekend we measured 300mm of rain (approximately 12 inches).
Some places nearby suffered severe damage, particularly Kuranda, and I really feel for the cane growers around us who have have had their crops flattened, just weeks away from harvesting. We lost power on the Saturday and telephones on Sunday but all was restored by Monday evening. Bravo to Ergon and Telstra!
I think we really did dodge a bullet!
Here are some photos that I took on Saturday.
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