Make sure of your cyclone plan and look out for others

AT THE time of printing, a tropical low is tracking towards Townsville.

If the modelling is accurate, and that is a very big if, it will escalate to a category 3 cyclone by the time it reaches land.

That is estimated to be about 4pm Monday. Let’s hope the modelling is wrong. But in the meantime, we have a precious window in which to minimise the dangers.

Today, if you haven’t already, tick off the boxes on your cyclone- ready list.

It may mean filling up the car, buying some last- minute provisions.

It could mean clearing any loose vegetation, outdoor furniture or anything else that could become destructive in cyclonic conditions.

The council has sensibly waived any charges for material dumped at the tip today.

Today’s includes last- minute tips on how to best prepare for the worst.

Right now is also a chance for us to think about others.

Are friends and loved ones OK? Do they need a hand.

How about neighbours? Do you know anybody who may need some assistance.

Townsville has been here before. And we’ve risen admirably to the occasion. The tales of courage and selflessness from Althea and, more recently Yasi, are endless.

The hardest part now is the waiting. It may end up missing us completely.

We won’t know for sure until tomorrow at least.

Beyond our preparations, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature.

What does seem inevitable is that the dam- filling rain for which our city has long yearned, is coming.

That, at least, is something for which to be grateful.