Cyclones set to hit both coasts

PARKS and wildlife rangers have begun evacuating holidaymakers from Fraser Island as an intense low pressure system packing gale-force winds headed for the popular tourist destination north of Queensland's Sunshine Coast.As the volatile system headed slowly south, threatening to bring huge waves and high winds to much of the Queensland coast, the Bureau of Meteorology said there was a significant risk of a severe tropical cyclone developing on the other side of the country, off Western Australia's northwest coast.Senior forecaster Andrew Burton said people between Exmouth and Broome could be at risk over the next 48 hours, with the low expected to develop into a tropical cyclone overnight.Forecasters are also monitoring a low in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which is expected to develop into a cyclone early next week.As many as 3000 people have been camping on Fraser Island this holiday season, but rangers yesterday began ordering them to leave.Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said residents and tourists staying at resorts could remain on the island, but all campers should leave as soon as possible.The low, described by one forecaster as akin to a Sydney-Hobart yacht race storm, was already bringing big waves to the east coast of Fraser Island yesterday, but its full force is not expected until tomorrow.Big waves and gale-force winds are also expected on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast this weekend. The low, which was centred about 250km northeast of Gladstone last night, battered the central Queensland coast yesterday with strong winds and high seas, forcing the closure of the state's largest coal terminal at Dalrymple Bay, south of Mackay.More than 40 coal ships are anchored off the coast but none was allowed to dock. Terminal spokeswoman Cathy Kelly said the order for the ships to stay at sea was a precautionary measure."These ships can go on oceans around the world, so they're suited to this weather, they can handle this weather," Ms Kelly told ABC radio."It's when they come alongside that high seas can cause them to be buffeted up against the wharf and damage either themselves or the wharf, so it's best that they wait at anchor until the seas calm down a little."
The low off the west coast has developed in the Indian Ocean about 600km northwest of Broome and is due to follow the coast southwards in coming days."There is certainly a significant risk it could develop into a severe tropical cyclone impacting the coast," Mr Burton said.
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