Skroo says early cyclone shutdown ‘text book case of overreaction’

Flight Centre Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner was not alone in criticising the premature shutdown of the city in preparation for Cyclone Alfred and its impact on business.

Graham "Skroo" Turner is critical of early cyclone shutdown

Flight Centre boss Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner was not alone in criticising the premature shutdown of the city in preparation for Cyclone Alfred and its impact on business.

Skroo told your diarist last week that the complete suspension of public buses and trains well before the cyclone was even close to Brisbane, was “a textbook case of government over-reaction causing residents unnecessary panic.”

So it was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek effort when Skroo told his staff on Sunday that “after three days of a Brisbane Cyclone Fred Lockdown - no planes, no public buses or trains, no restaurants or pubs and no schools - and three days of light winds, often sunny conditions and some drizzle, the gusty winds and pouring rain have finally arrived and everything has gone back to normal. With the arrival of those fairly serious winds last night, the Brisbane airport opened immediately and now on Sunday most businesses are back.

The buses are here in force, schools should be back tomorrow, the roads are busy and restaurants are open. Thank you Fred for finally making it to Brisbane! Your are now only a tropical low! We thank you anyway!”

Queensland tech entrepreneur Steve Baxter, who is originally from North Queensland, also believed the government went too early with shutdowns, and business owners should be empowered to decide for themselves.

Phuc Ly cleaning in the aftermath from the flooding caused by ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred in Oxley.

Big blow

The Queensland emergency authorities would do well to look at the hurricane warning system in Hong Kong, where your diarist lived for many years.

The Hong Kong Observatory adopts a signal system from one to 10 that gradually increases the public advice about an approaching hurricane. Signal one means a tropical cyclone is within 800 km of Hong Kong but does not pose an immediate threat.

Signal three warns strong winds (41-62 km/h) are expected, with gusts possibly exceeding 110 km/h and that business and public transport can continue as usual, but caution is advised.

A signal 8 meaning gale-force winds (63-117 km/h) are expected and businesses and schools should close. A signal 10 means a super typhoon is hitting Hong Kong, with winds over 118 km/h, possibly reaching 200 km/h. People are advised not to go outside and should make their way to a safe, enclosed space.

From your diarist’s experience, it’s a very workable system that gradually increases the threat level and allow people and businesses to plan accordingly.

Record rainfall in Hong Kong caused widespread flooding last year after a super typhoon.

Benz-ing in the wind

Mercedes Benz was not taking any chances with its famous three-point star atop its Breakfast Creek HQ as Cyclone Alfred approached the city.

The star was tied down securely to survive the winds, allaying concerns it could not doubt it fly away Ninja like and pose a risk to public safety.

Mercedes Benz battens down at Breakfast Creek.

Lunch off

A few big events being cancelled around town because of the aftermath of the big blow. ANZ boss Shayne Elliott was due to speak at the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, March 12. That has now been postponed until May 15.

The impact of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred also was behind the cancellation of the first QUT Business Forum for the year at The Event Centre, The Star Brisbane.

Airbnb boss Susan Wheeldon would have headlined the lunch on Wednesday.

.ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott.