Queensland starts big clean-up
The big clean-up has begun in north Queensland in the wake of Cyclone Yasi, but heavy flooding now threatens many low lying areas in the region.
Cairns escaped the eye of the cyclone and most hotels in the town were preparing for trade today.
The Queensland government said the cyclone was the worst in Australia’s history but early reports indicated that thankfully there was no loss of life or serious injuries resulting from the huge winds that brought down power lines and destroyed homes.
The communities of Mission Beach, where the Category Five monster made landfall, nearby Tully, and Innisfail were the worst hit. Structural damage in the towns was extensive.
Accor – the largest hotel group in the region with 12 hotels – reported that all its hotels withstood the strong winds and rain and should be trading normally.
The Holiday Inn Cairns sustained minor damage but guest services were not interrupted. Guest services at the Holiday Inn Townsville will be restricted until water, gas and power access are restored.
IHG advises anyone planning to visit this region of Queensland in the next few days to follow the advice of emergency services agencies. Visit www.qld.gov.au/cyclone/ for more information.
Daydream Island Resort and Spa was spared the worst from Yasi, with only minor vegetation damage reported around the Whitsunday island.
All guests were evacuated from Daydream on Tuesday morning as part of the island’s cyclone contingency plans. Around 20 staff remained on Daydream in a cyclone-proof facility.
All ferry services and flight connection services with Cruise Whitsundays are anticipated to be operating as from tomorrow (Friday).
Qantas suspended flights to and from Cairns and Townsville airports yesterday and today but the airline hopes to resume services tomorrow.
By TravelMole Australia
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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