Around half of Queensland is about to get hammered by tropical cyclone Yasi. It's a monster cyclone. To get some perspective on just how big it is, click here and here. There's some live updates here. It's going to be a rough day or two for those affected, our thoughts are with you, be safe!

When you overhear a weather geek call it "one big muthafucka cyclone" you know it's bad! Once again, the Premier, various police, and other military types are living at the Emergency Services complex at Kedron. Today, our cafeteria went on 24/7 hours to support the State Disaster Centre, and the media centre. In our own quiet way, the ICT centre of Emergency Services is preparing - massive amounts of equipment is ready to be moved. A large staging centre has been setup at Rockhampton and we have technicians waiting thre and in Mackay. The Fire Department mobile communications flagship - 501Tango arrived in Cairns yesterday. This is a truck that will bascially be a mobile communications centre - it operates via satellite so may be one of the few comms out of the area. Once again, I am flabbergasted as these brave people go without hesitation where they are needed. The entire town of Cardwell - 3000 people - has been evacuated. Storm surges of up to 7m above normal high tide is expected - over about a 3 hour period. And we, in Queensland, have to wonder what we have done to deserve this. This cyclone is so powerful that it will remain at a Category 1 cyclone until it is Friday - and it will then be over 400 kilometers inland. This means outback Queensland - Mt Isa, Normanton, Burketown, will actually experience a cyclone. Even Alice Springs will be affected from this as it becomes a rain depression. I am totally impressed with our Premier, Anna Bligh, who is, again, displaying the sort of leadership that inspires and comforts. All we can do, at this stage, is offer prayers, love, supplications to whatever dieties there are that everybody will stay safe.

Babe.... As much as I look in wonder and awe at that just so damn freaky and frightening cyclone bearing down on you all, I have to say I find myself thinking 'She'll be right' in the true Aussie way... The poor state of Queensland - hit once again - with nature's awesome power that reminds us that she is, at all times, the ultimate force to be reckoned with... And yet I do not fear that our Northern neighbours will meet her challenge head on - again - and rise triumphant - again! The strength and compassion of the average Australian shone through during the floods, the Banana Benders proved yet again that Aussies survive all with a sense of humour and a hand stretched out to help others even as their own lives and homes were being swept away. With such qualities and virtues bred into us all, how can we lose? We're tough, we will laugh in the face of danger (and put snorkels, floaties and goggles on statues - just because... well, it was *oops*ing hilarious!), we look at the ruins of our homes and remember to be grateful that all made it out, we ignore the silly political squabbles between states to come together to help in any way we can... Because at the end of the day we're nothing but Australian! And all Aussies across the country are right now holding our breaths, hoping, praying, believing, that you guys will come through. And when you do, we'll be here to do whatever we can to lend a hand.

My prayers are with all those who could be affected by this other threat! I so hope for everyone's safety!

Me too, hoping everyone comes through it safely.

Oh, I saw this on the news...the last thing you all needed...my thoughts and prayers will be with you! And to anyone in the path of the storm...stay safe!

Welcome to Queensland, flooding one day, cyclone to next my heart and wishes go out to those already affected and those in its path and to the rest of the world who are also going through a tough times with the weather - us Aussies have plenty of spirit to share

I join my thoughts and wishes to all those above in hoping that everyone affected will remain safe and sound.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this monster's path.

I hope everyone makes it through!

It's crossed the coast at midnight our time (now 5.30am) at Mission Beach and seems to have done less damage than it was thought it would. We were very lucky - as it is a relatively unpopulated area. Queensland missed the bullet on this one. It is now a Cat 3 cyclone and is continuing inland. We're not out of the woods yet!!

And there's a giant mantis mecha in the middle (or is it a grasshopper?). I hope you all get through okay.

Originally posted by Madilayn We were very lucky - as it is a relatively unpopulated area. Queensland missed the bullet on this one.

That's sure good news!

Originally posted by Madilayn It is now a Cat 3 cyclone and is continuing inland. We're not out of the woods yet!!

I hope everyone in the affected areas makes it through okay. So utterly unfair that Queensland is having to deal with this on top of the earlier flooding!

I too saw this on the weather channel the other day and instantly started praying that it wouldn't be as severe as they were predicting. Still praying hard all will be well. Hugs sent your way.

I love aussie humor when times are tough, (this was a discussion at work, in regards to tourist being asked to have their holidays in Qld and help with the Clean-up and re-building and trying to inject some much needed tourist dollars into devastated area) Welcome to Queensland, Home of .... The Big Apple The Big Barramundi The Big Bull The Big Captain Cook The Big Cassowary The Big Crab The Big Easel The Big Pinapple The Big Gumboot The Big Macadamia The Big Mandarin The Big Miner The Big Orange The Big Peanut The Big Pelican The Big Shell The Big Stubbie and now ... The Big Flood And the Big Cyclone There was no way we could think off to put a positive tourist spin on this, till some smart-arse came up with the idear of recycling.. sometimes I think our humor gets a little dark and twisted

PS how is the rest of the world getting on????? I know it's not just Australian having tough weather.. How are our American Friends, and the storms you are having over there???? Please let us know!!, most of what we see on the news is about us , yet I hear you are also getting bad storms and weather

A friend of mine showed me a cartoon just after the floods - and I wish I had a copy. It showed a boat load of refugees in a sea of brown water saying "I thought Australia was around here somewhere"