SYDNEY — A powerful cyclone slammed into northeast Australia on Friday, destroying homes, upending trees, cutting power lines and causing flash floods, while a second storm severed communications to a northern island where heavy damage was expected. Tens of thousands took what shelter they could as Cyclone Marcia caught Queensland state almost unawares, gathering strength in just a few hours before making landfall midmorning as a category 5 system – the highest rating. Emergency services scrambled to evacuate thousands of homes in the direct path of Marcia before pulling out and warning anyone who had not left to barricade themselves inside to avoid wind gusts peaking at 285 kph (177 mph). There were no reports of deaths or injuries and meteorologists said the worst of the winds had eased by evening and downgraded the cyclone to a category 2. But authorities warned heavy rains and flooding were likely to continue for several days and extend inland. – Reuters
