Cyclone hits homes in north Australia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — A powerful cyclone ripped the roofs off buildings and uprooted trees, tearing across Australia’s northeastern coast with powerful winds that pinned emergency workers inside despite pleas from terrified residents.

With winds of up to 300 kilometres an hour, cyclone Larry smashed into the coastal community of Innisfail, about 100 kilometres south of Cairns, a popular jumping-off point for the Great Barrier Reef, sending hundreds of tourists and residents fleeing for higher ground.

A Queensland state police spokesperson at Innisfail said three people had been reported injured, including a woman struck by flying glass.

The official said residents had been calling the department all morning as gale force winds destroyed houses around them.

Police had not been able to venture out and help because the winds were still too strong, she said.

“They just have to stay put. There’s nothing we can do for them,” she said. “We just told them to wrap themselves in mattresses, blankets, whatever they can find and just stay put.”

Des Hensler, a resident sheltered alone in a church, up to his ankles in water, said: “This is something to make any man tremble.”

By AP