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Articles: Cyclone batters Australian coast

Posted by admin on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 08:04 AM

A powerful tropical cyclone has hit Australia's north-east coast, packing winds of up to 290km/h (180mph).

Emergency workers were forced to stay away despite residents' pleas

Tropical Cyclone Larry smashed into Queensland at Innisfail, about 100km (62 miles) south of Cairns - forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Queensland state Premier Peter Beattie declared a state of emergency, saying it was the "worst cyclone in decades". Three people have been reported injured so far and up to 50,000 homes are without power, according to officials. The storm was initially a category five - the strongest possible - but was downgraded to a category four shortly after it crossed the coastline.

I don't get scared much, but this is something to make any man tremble in his boots

Innisfail resident Des Hensler

Prime Minister John Howard has put the country's military helicopters on alert to help with rescue efforts and officials are meeting in Canberra to discuss sending troops to help clean up the cyclone-stricken area. Mr Howard said he was confident it would not result in the chaos seen in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged US Gulf states last year, killing more than 1,300 people. 'Phenomenal' Three people are reported to have been injured so far, including a woman who was struck by flying glass.

Military helicopters are on alert to help with rescue efforts

Winds were so strong that police were unable to assist residents who called to say the winds had ripped the roofs off their homes, a police official from Innisfail, speaking on condition of anonymity. "They just have to stay put. There is nothing we can do for them. We just told them to wrap themselves in mattresses, blankets whatever they can find and just stay put. "I don't think there will be a tree in Innisfail standing, or a powerline. It's really phenomenal," she told the Associated Press news agency. Innisfail resident Des Hensler sheltered alone in a church, up to his ankles in water. "I don't get scared much, but this is something to make any man tremble in his boots," he told an Australian TV network. "There's a grey sheet of water horizontal to the ground and just taking everything in its path," he said. In December 1974, Category Four Cyclone Tracy hit the northern Australian city of Darwin, killing 49 people and another 16 at sea. Some 70% of Darwin's homes were destroyed or severely damaged.

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