A reminder to be prepared

TROPICAL Cyclone Owen’s slow formation over the Coral Sea is no reason to be alarmed, but it is a timely reminder to get everything in order for what may eventuate.

We are living through an interesting meteorological period in the Far North, belted silly by a horrible heatwave, parched gardens suffering through a long dry spell and the potential for decent rainfall around the corner — fingers crossed.

Last week’s heatwave coincided with what felt like a miniature cyclone in parts of Cairns around Bayview Heights, ripping down branches, knocking over dead trees and causing a general nuisance with dirt and mud whipped up against the windows.

I’m speaking from experience, of course, but I was not alone.

There was no shortage of company at the Portsmith dump on Saturday as a steady stream of overheated punters with utes and trailers dragged in heavy loads of vegetation torn asunder in the winds.

It felt like bad luck at the time but will likely prove to be anything but, clearing away much of the dead and unstable debris in a short burst of gusty fury rather than a prolonged rage one can expect during a cyclone or nice and heavy tropical low.

It’s the Far North, and a biblical downpour is pretty much inevitable — even if it arrives later than expected, it will get here in the end.

The time is ripe to get in nice and early to clean up the yard, unclog the gutters, stock up on batteries and get an emergency escape plan in place.

We are moving towards Level 2 water restrictions this week but fear not — lawns are hardy things and soon they should have more water than they know what to do with. Chris Calcino chris.calcino@news.com.au