Sorry for the late reply but I have only just read your post Anundsjo:



Generally if a cyclone has had a significant impact on Australia the name will be retired. In practice most names are not reused so they don't cause confusion. Names submitted by the general public sit on the supplementary list until such times as there is a vacancy for it to be moved onto the main list. Depending how far down the supplementary list your name is it could concievably take upwards of 50 years before it is selected.

http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/names.shtml



So if we only have 2 cyclones for a couple of years it could take even longer for it to be used.

New website -joint project with Govt/BoM/Greencross. Can find out specific info for your suburb as well. Apparently aimed at all residents but specifically newcomers and young people who have limited local knowledge of their area.
Cyclone preparedness

Dear All (especially newies) ,

I recommend that you check out Andrew's (from BoM) article (published 29/09/11). It explains in layman's terms what will happen during our weak La Nina (which has intensified quite dramatically in the last 2 weeks). It's a bit of OK writing of which I heartily approve. Also - beware of what you wish for ...

When Anthony formed last year I posted I felt in my water there was something really bad out there behind him (felt like a pantomime dame!)... Hello Yasi!

http://www.bom.gov.au/social/2011/09/chalk-cheese-cats-and-dogs/

Och come on people, be realistic this cyclone season! The low in the coral sea, no way it is EVER coming near the coast. Look at the wind shear for heaven's sake. Might bring us some rain in the north. The low in the Arufura sea, now that one could bring us serious rain in QLD. Please be realistic about what you post on this forum. Don't waste our time and your time and get the newies into a feeding frenzy ... just makes everything clog up! Remember CYCLONES CAN KILL, CYCLONES DESTROY PROPERTY, CYCLONES are NOT fun. Interesting to watch, fascinating to follow, but keep realistic posts this year, please.

For visitors who want more information about how, when and where cyclone warnings are issued.



http://www.bom.gov.au/catalogue/warnings/WarningsInformation_TC_Advice.shtml
Introduction
Tropical Cyclone Advices are issued whenever a tropical cyclone is expected to cause winds in excess of 62km/h (gale force) over land in Australia*. A tropical cyclone advice may be a watch and/or a warning, depending on when and where the gales are expected to develop.


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When is a Tropical Cyclone Advice Issued?
A tropical cyclone watch is issued for coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 48 hours, but not within 24 hours.
A tropical cyclone warning is issued for coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 24 hours, or are already occurring
Each advice issued for a particular cyclone will be numbered sequentially, starting at number 1 for the first advice. A tropical cyclone advice may contain a combined watch and warning, that is it will provide information on the area under watch status and the area under warning status
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How often is a Tropical Cyclone Advice issued?
While the threat remains, a tropical cyclone advice will be issued every six hours, increasing to every three hours when cyclone warnings are required. In some circumstances, when a cyclone approaching the coast is under radar surveillance, the advices may be issued hourly.


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What information is included in the Tropical Cyclone Advice?
Each Tropical Cyclone Advice will consist of the following information:

The area covered by a cyclone watch and area covered by a cyclone warning
The cyclone name
The intensity category of the cyclone (1-weak to 5-strong)
The latest observed location of the cyclone centre
The central pressure of the cyclone (warning only)
The distance of the cyclone to significant locations
The expected or recent movement of the cyclone
Range of destructive winds
Maximum wind gusts
Advisory statements on actions to be taken to mitigate the effects of the cyclone (note this is issued separately for the NT and Kimberley)
The issue time for the next warning
Usually, each advice will have an associated threat map issued.
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Who is the target audience of Tropical Cyclone Advices?
All land based communities in the threat zone.
Note that separate marine warnings will be issued, and all mariners should refer to these warnings for relevant information.


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Where are Tropical Cyclone Advices Issued?
Tropical Cyclone Advices are issued by Regional Offices of the Bureau of Meteorology in Brisbane, Darwin or Perth, depending on the location of the cyclone: