Aussies Endure Strongest Storm Since '74

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CAIRNS, Australia - The most powerful storm to hit Australia in three decades laid waste to its northeastern coast Monday, mowing down sugar and banana plantations with 180 mph winds but causing no deaths or serious injuries.

Innisfail, a farming town of 8,500 located about 60 miles south of the tourist city of Cairns, was hardest hit, and Mayor Neil Clarke estimated that thousands of residents were left homeless.

More than 100,000 people were without power, and the damage was estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Prime Minister John Howard pledged immediate cash handouts to the homeless and said more help would be forthcoming.

"The damage to dwellings is very extensive," Howard told the Nine Network from Melbourne. "Thank heavens it does not appear as though there have been any very serious injuries."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060320/ap_on_...stralia_cyclone

[aussiewench 9]

Yep seen this on the news earlier. The whole top half of the Australian coastline is subjected to cyclones but not too many cause the damage that this one has. I think the last really big one was Cyclone Tracy on christmas eve 1975 in Darwin...especially one of this magnitude. I wouldnt live there for quids.

Hang on a minute Im moving to FL

Edited March 20, 2006 by aussiewench