[Info-vax] Completely OT: Frank Lloyd Wright

[Paul Sture]

In article <508da928$0$34232$c3e8da3$5e5e430d at news.astraweb.com>,
 JF Mezei <jfmezei.spamnot at vaxination.ca> wrote:

> Back in 1996, I experienced Olivia. (North west Australia, it was
> between a 4 and a 5). I was in Karatha at a very solidly build
> backpackers. Was told to go buy enough food to last 3 days in case
> stranded at backpackers (roads closed etc).
> 
> The radio warnings were stern, telling people to buy essentials,
> batteries, food etc.
> 
> So I went to the grocery store before it closed. Not that many people.
> But everyone's idea of "essentials" were chips, beer, cookies and other
> party essentials :-)
> 
> People in the region are always prepared during cyclone season, so when
> one comes along, they don't really need to stock on on the real essentials.
> 
> Despite being build very solidly (concrete, bricks), the backpacker
> building at times felt like a ship in rough seas with bands of water
> (not rain at that stage anymore) hitting the building at high speed
> (winds up to 250kmh)
> 
> We witnessed it from a protected inner court from covered balconies. I
> tried to venture out to the street side, but didn't even get to open the
> door much. Second floor on one side of building was flooded. Rain/water
> was coming through the emergency exit door a bit like that scene in
> "Titanic" where you see water coming out all around the door just before
> it breaks and floods the corridor. (except there, it didn't break).
> 
> Amazing show of nature's force. Something I will never forget.

I witnessed Cyclone Lothar from my patio in December 1999.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Lothar

The tall poplar trees across the park were bending at crazy angles and 
bashing the side of a concrete car park.  Very impressive, but strangely 
enough it was windless in my garden, which was protected by surrounding 
buildings and a solid hedge.  The forests around here were very badly 
damaged.

> Nevertheless, it was a party atmosphere. What else do you do all night ?
> Power eventually failed rather spectacularly with transformer blowing up
> here and there in town giving off the signature purple fireworks.

We had a similar party atmosphere in bad weather where I lived on the 
edge of the moors in the UK.  When the power went, the local pub had a 
very welcome open fire, lots of candles, a gas fired kitchen and of 
course hand pulled beer.

That was unless the wind came from the North East, in which case 
everyone headed for home and stayed there, because it was going to get 
really cold and quickly too.

-- 
Paul Sture