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Queensland counts the cost of Cyclone Larry
Hundreds of millions of dollars damage has been done as the category five Cyclone Larry – the strongest possible intensity – destroyed most of Australia’s banana crop and flattened sugar cane fields.
Remarkably no one was killed amid the devastation but about 40 people have reported to hospital suffering injuries including cuts and abrasions.
It was the town of Innisfail, south of Cairns, which faced the worst of it as 290km/h winds tore roofs from buildings and steam-rollered or uprooted trees.
Innisfail Barrier Reef Motel owner Amanda Fitzpatrick struggled to describe the scene, likening it to a warzone or even the something supernatural.
“It sounded like the exorcist coming to get you – it was terrifying,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
“We could only go out in the eye of the storm and have a look and it just looks like an atomic bomb has gone off.”
About half the buildings in Innisfail and 80 per cent in Babinda, to the north, were damaged.
The banana industry reported losses of up to $300 million, leaving up to 4000 people out of work.
More than 120,000 homes were without power, water or sewerage last night.
All schools and most businesses were likely to be closed for the week.
Australian Red Cross Queensland chief Greg Goebel said an evacuation centre in Tully was “chockers” with about 70 evacuees.
“They are mainly those who were evacuated from a caravan park, and are mainly Japanese and Korean tourists,” he said.
“They’re being fed tonight and possibly tomorrow night.”
The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre today said a second cyclone that formed behind Larry – Cyclone Wati – was expected to intensify to a category three storm today.
Senior forecaster Jeff Callaghan said Wati was expected to move towards Townsville for the next couple of days before turning sharply south on Thursday and tracking parallel to the Queensland coast.
“There should be some pretty wild weather between Mackay and Fraser Island later in the week,” Mr Callaghan said.
Graham Muldoon
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