Trees ripped up by cyclone Ului.
Queensland had been expecting cyclone Ului yesterday, but no-one could be fully prepared for the devastation it left in its wake.
Winds of up to 200kmh ripped into the popular tourist destination of Whitsunday Islands, dashing boats to pieces onto the craggy rocks and causing significant damage to thousands of homes.
Many homes on Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands remain without power today as residents assess the damage caused.
The cyclone was predicted as early as Friday, giving authorities time to evacuate holiday resorts and residents to batten down the hatches and secure their homes and belongings. Some hardy residents refused to be evacuated however and one caller to ABC Radio described the storm as “pretty wild”.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said: “This cyclone has left a trail of devastation in its wake,” but she added; “Thankfully it did not have the catastrophic effects that we’ve seen in other cyclones.”
Flash flooding caused by the cyclone also caused damage to buildings and initial estimates could see the bill topped to millions of dollars. The government have said that cash payments will be made available to those affected by the cyclone.
The Dalrymple coal port which was briefly closed whilst the storm passed through, was getting ready to re-open today after saying that they had not suffered “any damage of significant consequence” however the damage to the areas sugar crops may take up to a week to assess.
No deaths or serious injuries are reported, however 19 year old Saxon Bird died during the Australia Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast after the sea in which he was surfing, along with hundreds of others, was hit with strong winds believed to be from the oncoming cyclone. In a freak accident the churning water got the better of him and he was hit on the head by his own surf ski.
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