personal update on cyclone yasi and our family

We are directly in the line of fire for Cyclone Yasi. The most severe part is due to hit the coast of north Queensland tonight near Innisfail or Cardwell (a couple hours drive north of us) at 10pm. Although not at the center of the projected hit, we are considered to be within the disaster zone.

Parts of our city (Townsville) and others are being evacuated (10,000+ people so far), but as of yet officials say we are in a high enough part of town that we shouldn't have to evacuate. All patients in critical condition as well as laboring mothers who were in the Cairns Hospital have now been transported by the military to hospitals in Brisbane for care out of harms way.

It's poised to be the worst cyclone in the last century (worse than in southern Queensland a few weeks ago). Currently it is set to a level 5 (the highest level of cyclone) meaning 250+ kph winds, surges and flooding, and more than likely a loss of phones and electricity for an extended amount of time.

We are fine, as prepared as we can be with our valuables and important documents packed up. We have our yard and house prepared, candles ready, flashlights loaded with new batteries, water stored up, and several tins of canned food.

We are calm and ready. Just sitting here now watching the news and enjoying our electricity for as long as it lasts. As a family with a firm faith in God, we hold fast to the fact that God is bigger than any storm.

Thanks for your prayers for us and for our friends... as well as for those who will be hit even harder than we will.

braced and ready,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010  do not reproduce without written permission