Queensland braced for massive storm

The Australian state of Queensland is reportedly bracing itself as the most powerful cyclone in the region in 30 years approaches its shores. According to the BBC News website, Cyclone Ingrid has wind speeds of up to 175mph and, though it has recently been downgraded from a category five to category four storm, could still cause severe damage. The storm is reportedly expected to be as powerful as Cyclone Tracy, which devastated parts of the city of Darwin in 1974. Local meteorologists say a category four storm has not passed over the Queensland coast since 1971. While there have been no compulsory evacuations, many residents including aboriginal groups have moved into storm shelters. The Australian Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre stated: “The sea is likely to rise steadily to a level significantly above the highest tides of the year, with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lying areas extending some way inland.” The storm is expected to hit the coast near Cape Flattery, north of Cairns, on Thursday morning. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd