ALL EYES ON CALEB

COULD IT BE FIRST CYCLONE?

FORECASTERS are closely watching a tropical low that has formed near Papua New Guinea and could intensify into a cyclone while tracking towards the Far North Queensland coast.

The weather bureau yesterday upgraded the chance of a cyclone in the Coral Sea to “moderate” for Saturday, meaning there is a 20 to 50 per cent chance of the system forming.

While, there remains considerable uncertainty over the low’s future movements and whether it will cross the coast at all, at least one model shows it crashing into land near Innisfail.

Cassowary Coast mayor John Kremastos said his community was prepared but felt the residents had borne a fair share of cyclones over the years. In 2006, cyclone Larry caused Innisfail’s Feast of the Senses to wrap up early and there are fears this year’s festival, which begins today, could again be disrupted.

It’s also 20 years since cyclone Justin wreaked havoc across the Far North, claiming two lives.

“It’s certainly disappointing this is happening,” Cr Kremastos said.

“We just have to accept what fate has dealt us but it’s not good for the confidence of the community. I know we’re a tough mob here and we’ll handle it.”

Other models show the system straying north to Cow Bay or further south to Cardwell.

Cairns duty forecaster Greg Connor said now was the time for Far North residents to make sure their cyclone plans were in place.

“We just need a few more days of monitoring the system, but it’s a timely reminder that this is tropical cyclone season and people should be prepared,” he said.

“We are at the peak of the cyclone season in Queensland.”

If it forms, the cyclone will be the first of the season for the Coral Sea and will likely be called Caleb.

“It’s a weak low at the moment and we believe over the next couple of days the low won’t deepen significantly,” Mr Connor said. “However, as we get towards the weekend we are expecting the low to deepen and move closer to the Queensland coast.

“It’s just too early to say whether the system will cross the coast as a low or as a tropical cyclone.”