In the wake of monster Cyclone Yasi, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued severe weather and flash flood warnings in North Queensland from Mossman to Ayr, a distance of around 500 kilometers (310 miles), early on Friday, Feb. 4.
The category 5 storm smashed into North Queensland around midnight local time on Thursday, Feb. 3, causing extreme localized damage in coastal towns, including Mission Beach and Tully.
Numerous buildings lost their roofs and many were structurally damaged, some beyond repair. Power poles were knocked over, and large trees were torn out of the ground with roots exposed, cutting off many roads, including major ones.
Some residents sustained minor injuries, but no deaths due to the cyclone have been reported yet. However, Queensland Police said a man is missing from Point Hinchinbrook, last seen on Tuesday taking cover in the mangroves in his yacht. Also a 23-year-old man has died from suffocation after running a generator in a closed room.
More than 150,000 homes are still without electricity, according to Ergon Energy, with extensive damage to the network, and power may not be restored to the worst-hit communities for a couple of weeks.
As Yasi traveled inland, the system weakened and has now fizzled out into a rain depression. However, according to BOM, a weak monsoon trough extends along Queensland’s north tropical coast, bringing ongoing heavy rainfall to the area.
BOM recorded 269 mm (11 inches) of rainfall at Cairns Airport in the 19 hours since 9 a.m. Thursday after Yasi had passed over the coast.
Heavy rainfall continues in the coastal region and could potentially cause localised flash floods or exacerbate existing flooding. Separate flood warnings are also current for rivers and streams between Cairns and Townsville, and adjacent inland catchments, according to BOM.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh are touring the worst affected communities on Friday, following their visits to flood-ravaged Queensland townships in January.
The category 5 storm smashed into North Queensland around midnight local time on Thursday, Feb. 3, causing extreme localized damage in coastal towns, including Mission Beach and Tully.
Numerous buildings lost their roofs and many were structurally damaged, some beyond repair. Power poles were knocked over, and large trees were torn out of the ground with roots exposed, cutting off many roads, including major ones.
Some residents sustained minor injuries, but no deaths due to the cyclone have been reported yet. However, Queensland Police said a man is missing from Point Hinchinbrook, last seen on Tuesday taking cover in the mangroves in his yacht. Also a 23-year-old man has died from suffocation after running a generator in a closed room.
More than 150,000 homes are still without electricity, according to Ergon Energy, with extensive damage to the network, and power may not be restored to the worst-hit communities for a couple of weeks.
As Yasi traveled inland, the system weakened and has now fizzled out into a rain depression. However, according to BOM, a weak monsoon trough extends along Queensland’s north tropical coast, bringing ongoing heavy rainfall to the area.
BOM recorded 269 mm (11 inches) of rainfall at Cairns Airport in the 19 hours since 9 a.m. Thursday after Yasi had passed over the coast.
Heavy rainfall continues in the coastal region and could potentially cause localised flash floods or exacerbate existing flooding. Separate flood warnings are also current for rivers and streams between Cairns and Townsville, and adjacent inland catchments, according to BOM.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh are touring the worst affected communities on Friday, following their visits to flood-ravaged Queensland townships in January.
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