Thousands homeless after Australia cyclone

A powerful cyclone ripped roofs off buildings across Australia’s north-eastern coast today, packing winds up to 180 mph that wreaked havoc in coastal towns leaving an unknown number of people homeless but caused only a handful of injuries.

As emergency services fanned out across the cyclone-prone region to assess the damage, they were greeted by scenes of devastation.

In Innisfail, a farming town of 8,500 that was worst hit, the main street was littered with the mangled remains of tin corrugated iron roofs and shredded fronds from beach side palm trees.

Mayor Neil Clarke told Australian Broadcasting Corporation on its website that survivors would be housed in tents at the town’s airstrip. He said it was impossible to tell just how many people were in need of shelter, but he estimated the number would run into thousands.

He said the airport was being cleared to house people in tents.