Cyclone batters Queensland

The Australian state of Queensland is counting the cost as a powerful cyclone carves a trail of destruction across the north-east.
Cyclone Yasi struck the coast south of the city of Cairns at about midnight (Australia time), ripping roofs from houses and toppling trees and power lines.
Small communities bore the brunt of winds up to 290km/h (181mph) as the storm swept inland slowly weakening.
About 30 000 people have been evacuated from Yasi’s path and taken to shelters.
Others spent a terrifying night in their homes as the colossal cyclone – the most powerful to hit the area in nearly a century – roared overhead and lashed them with rain.
Officials in Cairns said the city had been spared the worst of the storm. Mayor Val Schier said: “We’re very relieved.”
It was different story in coastal communities further south including Mission Beach, Tully, Cardwell and Innisfail.
Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh said she was “very relieved” that early reports indicated there had been not been any deaths or serious injuries.
However, she added that early assessments in Tully indicate “that 90% of the buildings in that area are extensively damaged”.
With many power lines down, reports from the stricken areas were still coming in.
But Tully resident Ross Sorbello told the Sydney Morning Herald the town was a “scene of mass devastation”.
Mr Sorbello, who briefly went outside as the eye of the storm passed over, said roofs were ripped from houses, electricity poles were down and the streets were covered with debris.
Tully resident Stephanie Grimaz said that houses in her street had been torn apart, the Queensland Times reported. (BBC)