TMCnet News
Cyclone Monica hits far north Australia(UPI Top Stories Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Cyclone Monica made landfall Wednesday on Australia's far northeastern shore near an Aboriginal community with winds of 135 mph. Damage assessment began quickly by police and local officials around the town of Lockhart River, the Australian Broadcasting Corp., reported. The roads are blocked, primarily within the community, we have a lot of tree damage, a lot of blockage of roads, said Inspector David Lacey. Lockhart River Council's chief executive officer, Neil Turner, said early indications show the damage was limited to vegetation. After hitting land from the Indian Ocean, Monica began bearing southwest towards Coen, where winds at the airport were reported gusting to 75 mph Wednesday evening. The region is still trying to recover from Cyclone Larry, which hit the town of Innisfail last month, flattening thousands of homes and wiping out sugar cane and banana fields. |