Flood warnings follow Australia cyclone
Visitors to Australia are being warned of the risk of flooding after the Queensland coast was hit by a tropical cyclone that left a trail of devastation in its wake.
Cyclone Debbie, which battered the coastline and the Whitsunday Islands on Tuesday, is also expected to bring further heavy rainfall across Queensland, including Brisbane.
The UK Foreign Office advised British visitors to monitor media closely and follow the advice of local emergency services.
The Australian government has activated a disaster response plan.
At least one person is believed to have died and 50,000 homes and businesses were left without power overnight as the storm swept along the north Queensland coast.
Cyclone Debbie made landfall at Airlie Beach in the Whitsunday Islands on Tuesday, bringing winds of more than 200 km an hour.
It caused extensive damage to several areas, including Airlie Beach, upmarket Hamilton and Proserpine.
One hotel in the Whitsundays, the Daydream Island Resort & Spa, said it suffered water damage, the roof has been blown off its spa and there is ‘significant’ damage to the resort’s jetty and pontoon.
Another property, the Shute Harbour Motel, has been destroyed.
Cameron Berkman, a tourist caught up in the storm, said it ‘felt like we were underneath a freight train for most of the night.’
In the midst of the raging storm, Queensland politician Mark Ryan tweeted: "Trees down in Airlie Beach and reports of windows shattering and some roofs starting to cave in."
The full extent will only become clear as rescue teams try to reach all affected areas but state police commissioner gave a stark warning.
"I think the public and the community of Queensland need to understand that we are going to get lots of reports of damage and sadly I think we will also receive more reports of injuries, if not deaths," he said.
That thankfully did not transpire at first light on Wednesday with no reports of further fatalities, although several areas still remain cut off.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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