Disasters. We has them.

To my lovely readers from across the sea,

You have probably heard about the floods we've had in Queensland.

Did you hear that there were floods in Victoria as well?  And what about the bushfires in Western Australia?

The bits that weren't affected by all that continued with a heatwave.

And now, there are about 60 minutes until a giant tropical cyclone hits our coast.  Its name makes it sound like 5 giant dice are sitting offshore waiting to roll over the north-east part of the continent...

Not actually Tropical Cyclone Yahtzee, although I think that about 50 times a day.  Cyclone Yasi, which promises to be bigger than anything we have seen in our lifetimes. 

In the next 24 hours or so, our news sites will keep you updated.  ABC News, The Courier Mail.

This is a little graphic that compares the cyclone we are expecting with the devastating Cyclones Tracy (1974) and Larry (2006) and also Hurricane Katrina (2005) which was undoubtedly the largest, although Yasi is expected to deliver faster wind speeds and heavier rainfall.

So if you're a praying person, would you mind getting your praying gear out for the people of Far North Queensland over the next few hours?  It will be a long and scary night for them.