North Qld braces for Cyclone Olga

Residents in far north Queensland have been warned they risk being left short of
critical supplies unless they start preparing for tropical cyclone Olga.
People have been advised to check their emergency kits as the category one cyclone -
which sat about 370km east of Cairns at 4pm (AEST) on Saturday - intensifies and
moves towards the coast.
A cyclone watch was current from Coen to Cape Flattery and Innisfail to Lucinda on
late Saturday afternoon.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) had issued flood warnings for the coastal areas
between Cooktown and Cardwell.
Gale force winds and heavy rainfall were expected to develop along the coast between
Cape Flattery and Innisfail on Sunday afternoon.
Warren Bridson, of Emergency Management Queensland, said residents needed to take
the warnings seriously and adequately prepare for the cyclone, which formed on
Friday night in the Coral Sea.
"We have found that in previous events - like last year's Ingham floods - people had
two days' warning but still didn't stock up on critical supplies such as medication,
food and water and baby supplies," Mr Bridson said.
"They didn't appreciate how isolated they would become, even though they lived in or
close to town.
"We need people to understand that when you are isolated by a flood, you may not be
able to get to the shops for a number of days."
Mr Bridson also warned of the dangers of swollen creeks and flooded drains and roads.
Every year emergency services received dozens of calls for assistance from people
who had ignored road closures and become stranded in flood waters, he said.
"This is extremely dangerous behaviour," Mr Bridson said.
"Only last year two lives were tragically lost when a vehicle was driven into flood
waters and washed away near Tully.
"Please obey all traffic signs and road closures and do not attempt to cross flooded
roads, even if this means having to stay at home."
If Olga continues on its current path it could hit the coast off Cairns on Monday
morning, a BoM chart predicts.