Tropical Cyclone Larry hits Northeastern Australia

A powerful tropical cyclone Larry has damaged more than half the houses in the northern Queensland town of Innisfail in Australia. A category five Cyclone, Larry with 290km/h winds slammed into the coast near Innisfail, south of Cairns, this morning, packing winds of up to 290km/h (180 miles-per-hour), injuring at least three people.

Three persons have been reported injured in the cyclone, a spokesperson of Queensland state police at Innisfail, said. Among the injured, a woman was struck by flying glass and two others were hurt after falling down.

The hot and humid cyclone has also struck the banana industry and caused more than 300 million Australian dollars (220 million U.S. dollars) of loss to the country's banana industry, as told by Patrick Leahy, President Australian Banana Growers Council, on Monday. Council said that the storm has wrecked the industry, ruining 200,000 tons of fruit. Leahy said that the 90% to 100% of the total crop is damaged.

The cyclone ripped the roofs off buildings and uprooted trees crashing across roads. It forced the residents to evacuate their houses sending hundreds of residents and tourists fleeing for higher ground. A police spokeswoman said that they have been unable to leave the station, despite hundreds of calls for help, as the winds were still too strong.

The storm struck the power supply units putting nearly 50,000 houses in the region without power. A spokesperson of Ergon Energy Cairns said that Power would be returned to Townsville in 24 hours but the people of Innisfail were expected to remain without electricity for several days.

Prime Minister John Howard said that the storm was worst and he has spoken to the Queensland state premier to cooperate under the circumstances. He said that the Government will provide all his assistance needed by the Queensland state government. Federal government officials were meeting to discuss the deployment of the troops to aid cyclone-hit regions.

A flood warning is prevalent for coastal rivers and streams between the coastal towns of Innisfail and Townsville. Residents have been warned to stay inside to avoid dangers ranging from flying debris to snakes and crocodiles trying to escape rising flood waters.