Strong winds, big waves of seas and heavy rain hit the northeast area of Australia today, harming homes, destroying wharfs and cutting power lines to thousands of homes as Tropical Cyclone Debbie tore through Queensland state's far north.
Wind blasts more intense than 160 mph were recorded at tourist resorts along the world-well-known Great Barrier Reef as the strong storm, at category four just one rung underneath the most alarming wind speed level, started to make landfall, Mail Online reported.
No injuries had been stated as yet but the storm was traveling southwest so gradually that climate forecasters said typhoon conditions could continue for as long as 24 hours. "It's really noisy: Screaming, strong wind sounds like a cargo train," Jan Clifford said by text from Airlie Beach, around 590 miles northwest of the state capital, Brisbane, Bulletin reported.
Experts had encouraged those people who lived in lowering areas to vacate their place yesterday, in what might be the biggest evacuation seen in Australia since Cyclone Tracy crushed the northern city of Darwin on Christmas Day, 1974. Cyclone Debbie made landfall at Airlie Beach soon after early afternoon local time (0200 GMT), striking out telephone services
Heavy rain flooded streets and wind crushed windows, uprooted trees and tossed debris through streets, while wharfs at Airlie Beach marina were destroyed, pictures broadcast on Nine Network TV aired. Power lines were cut for 38,000 individuals in most areas between the towns of Bowen and Mackay, north and south of Airlie Beach, utility Ergon Energy said.
Ports at Abbot Point, Mackay and Hay Point were closed, Townsville airport terminal was shut and aircraft Qantas, Jetstar, Rex and Virgin Australia canceled a few flights to and from the region. Regardless of issuing evacuation orders, police revealed to Reuters they didn't know how many individuals had paid attention to their advice. Just around 400 individuals went to cyclone shelters as the winds are becoming stronger, making it more risky to wander outside.
That did not stop some thrill seeking bodyboarders who paddled out to surf in the hurling seas at Airlie Beach, TV footage showed. Police confounded the wild weather associated with the storm for a traffic accident on Monday in which a 31-year-old female traveler was killed.
