QLD:Yasi to hit between Innisfail, Cardwell=3

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2011
QLD:Yasi to hit between Innisfail, Cardwell=3

Ms Bligh said there was not much time left to get to safety.

"I said this morning the window (of opportunity) was still open and closing," she told
reporters at 11.30am (AEST).

"There is still a little crack of light there and there is still some last minute opportunities.

"People who are in any of those areas that might experience flooding should be looking
at their absolutely last chance.

"The next time I'm doing an update there will be no further opportunities for people to move."

She said 9500 people were already in 20 evacuation centres, mostly in Cairns, Townsville
and Innisfail.

Ms Bligh said only those who would be inundated should move, and others should bunker
down or stay with friends.

"You are safer in your own home and you will only take up space from people who cannot
be in their own home or the home of a friend," she said.

She said large trees were already being brought down as the region started to see the
effects of Yasi.

And dangerous swells would be experienced all the way down the coast to the Sunshine
Coast, she said.

Wind gusts at the core of the cyclone are already at 295km/h, Ms Bligh said.

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