Queenslanders are bracing themselves as Cyclone Oma makes its way across the Pacific, bringing strong winds and huge swells. With the 120km/h winds on the way, waves could surpass five metres when the cyclone reaches the south Queensland coast on Friday, before making its way to New Zealand.
Queenslanders are being warned of dangerous swell and strong winds as Cyclone Oma continues to move across the Pacific Ocean.
Tropical cyclone #Oma will continue to move southeastwards but it is expected to start weakening soon. It is yet uncertain whether the storm will later take a turn towards New Zealand later this week. #weather #foreca #Vanuatu #NewCaledonia #Australia #NewZealand #CycloneOma pic.twitter.com/Iv7B2oVIHf
— Foreca (@foreca) February 18, 2019
The Fiji Meteorological Service reported the cyclone is producing winds of up to 120km/h.
https://t.co/FRhKRJSkAA Map for #cycloneoma pic.twitter.com/K0iPtLpgOn
— Cyclone Oma (@cycloneoma) February 18, 2019
‘Later in the week we are expecting high tides anyway, so any big swell coming in over the top of very high tides is going to create hazardous conditions,‘ Mr Stoney said.
‘This could be a serious situation later in week combination of things. The main risks are abnormally high tides, hazardous surf, beach erosion and coastal inundation.‘
Traditionally-built homes in #Vanuatu have been receiving the brunt of #CycloneOma as it strengthens to a category 3. @vanuaturedcross comms officer Olivia Finau shares the challenges communities face: https://t.co/wEodn2SPcb pic.twitter.com/GHuNj5MA02
— IFRC Asia Pacific (@IFRCAsiaPacific) February 16, 2019
The cyclone, which is moving slowly from New Caledonia, will peak from Friday until Sunday, but will move on after in a south easterly direction towards New Zealand’s north Island.
Tropical cyclone #Oma is currently developing in the Coral Sea, bringing strong winds & heavy rain to Vanuatu & then New Caledonia over the coming days; Peak wind speeds likely by Tuesday as #Oma moves south over warm waters. More info here https://t.co/ax9qWrbACf pic.twitter.com/NQA3gj1qKk
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 17, 2019
The savage conditions come after the state’s north was inundated with rain, causing mass flooding in Townsville and destroying 1480 homes. Townsville will dodge Cyclone Oma, which will impact the south east.
The promise of big waves has brought big names in surfing to the Gold Coast, the pros eagerly awaiting swell from Cyclone Oma. But councils are preparing for the worst with sand stockpiles at the ready. #7News pic.twitter.com/ilwtuiusl8
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 18, 2019
Cyclone Oma will remain a category three for another two days, there is a possibility of it being upgraded to a category four but it will likely stay a category three.
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