Weather News

Report shows tornado caught residents by surprise

Researchers say Queenslanders need to be better prepared for extreme weather all year round, not just during certain seasons.

Dr David Henderson from James Cook University's Cyclone Testing Centre has completed a report into a freak tornado that struck a suburb in Townsville, in the state's north, in March.

He says while older-style homes were worst affected, many residents were simply not prepared.

"The tornado is an extremely rare event," Dr Henderson said.

"There have been worse tornados in Queensland - down in the south-east part of Queensland.

"It's just that it was an incredibly rare event that went through some of the older houses in an older suburb of Townsville."


- ABC

© ABC 2012

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