Cyclone Debbie: ‘Monster’ storm reaches Australian islands

A cyclone carrying winds of up to 263km/h (163 mph) has battered popular holiday islands as it moves towards the coast of Queensland, Australia.

More than 25,000 people were urged to evacuate ahead of Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm now predicted to reach the mainland about 14:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

About 23,000 homes have already lost power, and there are reports of damage.
Authorities said it would be the area’s worst storm since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone’s “very destructive core” had already reached the Whitsunday Islands.

“We’re getting reports of roofs starting to lift, even in some of our own facilities in the Whitsundays,” said Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

One person in the region compared the winds to “freight trains coming through left and right”.

The trees are going wild. The place is just shaking continuously,” the man, identified only as Charlie, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Electricity providers said more homes would lose power, and for an unknown period of time.

Source: BBC News
-Agencies