Hopes everyone in the area is okay...
Cyclone batters Australian coast
Military helicopters are on alert to help with rescue efforts
A powerful tropical cyclone has hit Australia's north-east coast, packing winds of up to 290km/h (180mph).
Tropical Cyclone Larry smashed into Queensland at Innisfail, about 100km (62 miles) south of Cairns.
"We are very concerned... it's the worst cyclone we've had in decades," said Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.
The storm was initially a category five - the strongest possible - but was downgraded to a category four shortly after it crossed the coastline.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated and Mr Beattie has given the authorities the legal power to forcibly remove any reluctant evacuees.
Prime Minister John Howard has put the country's military helicopters on alert to help with any rescue efforts.
Three people are reported to have been injured so far, including a woman who was struck by flying glass.
"We have roofs flying off... and trees across roads," police officials in Innisfail said.
Major airlines have cancelled all flights into the city of Cairns and shelters for evacuees have been set up in inland towns.
Devastating
Rescue officials compared the potential force of Cyclone Larry to Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged US Gulf states last year, killing more than 1,300 people.
Counter Disaster and Rescue Services chief Frank Pagano warned residents to stay away from areas likely to become flooded, saying water often posed a much higher danger than gale-force winds during cyclones.
In December 1974, Category Four Cyclone Tracy hit the northern Australian city of Darwin, killing 49 people and another 16 at sea.
Some 70% of Darwin's homes were destroyed or severely damaged.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4823580.stm