Debbie lashes coastal area
SYDNEY: Coastal areas in north-east Australia were battered by high winds and heavy rainfall today as a powerful cyclone, which prompted authorities to urge some 30 000 people to evacuate, hit island resorts along the Great Barrier Reef. Cyclone Debbie was upgraded overnight to a category four storm, just one rung below the most dangerous wind speed level.
Wind gusts of more than 220kph lashed resorts in the Whitsunday Islands.
“We’re getting some reports already of roofs starting to lift, including at some of our own facilities in the Whitsundays,” Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said.
Authorities stockpiled food and fuel, and the army was on standby to deal with the aftermath. However, as winds cut power to about 23 000 people, emergency response crews were also hunkered down until the storm blew over.
“The eye is probably 50km across,” said senior forecaster Adam Blazak.
Authorities urged thousands of people in low-lying areas at risk from tidal surges and winds of up to 300kph to flee their homes yesterday.
Ports at Abbot Point, Mackay and Hay Point were shut, Townsville airport was closed and airlines Qantas, Jetstar, Rex and Virgin Australia cancelled sev- eral flights to and from the region.
BHP Billiton and Glencore halted work at their coal mines in the storm’s path.
Jan Clifford, who plans to ride out the storm at her home in Airlie Beach, said: “Our houses are built to take this stuff; it’s just what you do.” – Reuters