Torrential rain hampered relief efforts after a powerful cyclone wreaked havoc in northeast Australia. Several tourists and residents have been stranded for days on devastated Hamilton and Daydream islands and they were due to be evacuated today.
Cyclone Debbie has pummelled Queensland state since crashing ashore as category four storm on Tuesday between Bowen and Airlie Beach, ripping up trees, washing boats onto land and causing widespread damage.
Meteorologists forecast the city would be soaked by a month’s worth of rain in a single day, with the popular Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast areas also in for a drenching before the system moves offshore tomorrow. Emergency service crews rescued dozens of people overnight and early today from floodwaters west of Mackay.
The wild weather has made the clean-up difficult as crews battle horrendous conditions to reach isolated communities and restore power. Many roads remain flooded and towns cut off with hundreds of schools closed. Great Barrier Reef islands were among the worst hit.