Preparedness for and impact of tropical cyclone Yasi in North Queensland, Australia.

Introduction: Tropical cyclone (TC) Yasi, thought to be the largest and most severe cyclone to cross the Queensland coast since 1918, made landfall on the southern tropical coast near Mission Beach and continued to track westward across Northern Queensland on February 3, 2011. The warning and response model (WRM) suggests that situational factors, personal characteristics, and social contextual variables influence the degree of threat perceived and protective actions taken. Aim The aim of this study was to examine preparation for this impending natural disaster by residents of the affected regions, and to identify the residents' resource losses and symptoms of psychological distress following TC Yasi.