I don’t think that “frustrations” would complete say what I am feeling. There is a category 4 cyclone about 15-hours away from hitting the coast 100km north of us. To give you an idea of the strength I think that is the same category that Katrina was that hit New Orleans. From what I have read the categorization of Cyclones and Hurricanes is the same, the only difference is that they spin on opposite directions. They actually suspect that it will change to category 5 right before land fall.

For us couldn’t happen at a worse time. The house is lifted and ready to be lowered down onto the stumps, but it is not yet bolted down. The house is basically just floating on three large I-beams that you can see in some of my previous articles. They were due to come and actually bolt the house down tomorrow, but the cyclone is meant to hit tomorrow morning at about 7:00 am.

About the only thing that I can do now is pray and hope that the builder has insurance…

Here is a part of the latest warning from the Bureau of Meteorology:

Very destructive winds may develop on the coast between Cairns and Bowen on Monday morning, with maximum wind gusts reaching 280 km/h near the centre of the cyclone.

Coastal residents between Cairns and Townsville are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to steadily rise up to a level which will be significantly above the normal tide, with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas extending some way inland. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible, and be prepared to follow advice regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.

Heavy rains are likely to develop near the coast between Cairns and Mackay Monday morning and this will lead to significant stream and river rises and flooding of low lying areas.

You can follow the progress on the cyclone on the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Weather Warning Page.

We were supposed to be able to move in this afternoon, but because of delays that they have had with getting the house lifted we are now having to be out of the house for an extra three nights.

This is getting to be a bit frustrating as originally we were told we would be out for three weeks by some contractors that we used to be using (but not anymore, long story but the short version is here: Bad Townsville Contractors…). Then we were told to be out for only one night, then just as they started we had to be out for four nights, and now it’s a full week.

If we aren’t able to move in by Monday then we will be in a bit of trouble as we won’t have any accomodation. Our only option might be to bunk with Tamara’s parents. But we will need to negotiate with them first. I figure since I helped them move in on Tuesday they might help us out…

Also Tamara has been told that the baby is quite large and she might come early. Since we are now less then a month from her due date that could mean that the baby comes before we can even move in, which is what we were desperately trying to avoid. Caleb is also getting unsettled with everything since we are all in the same room right now and we are also trying to get him used to the fact that he is going to be a big brother.