The story of two cyclones...

...one small, and the other truly enormous! As the state still recovers from the massive floods last month, three weeks later the north and far north of the state gets hit by Cyclone Anthony - not extremely large - and a few days later Cyclone Yasi, reported to be the largest cyclone ever recorded in Australia.

The Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, surveys the sea front of Cardwell - or what was left of it. She's accompanied by the Federal Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister, Wayne Swan, who is our local Federal MP.



This image is of Yasi superimposed on Europe. Winds of up to 300kmh, tidal surges, along with flooding rainfalls all combined to create havoc for our northern neighbours. One person has died in the whole area - due to suffocating from the fumes of a diesel generator operating inside the building and not outside.

Yasi on top of the USA - it was an immense cyclone by any one's standards.

The Senior Citizens Centre in Tully (below) was the designated refuge for the area, but the supervisor (pictured) closed it when she realised the storm would be so very intense. Just as well she got them out and into a safer place.

The day after, these Tully folk - all from one family, plus some friends - pausing during the repairs to the family home.

Port Hinchinbrook was home to millions of dollars worth of boats - now all wrecked and tossed around. Note the buildings which are new and built to withstand the Category 5 (highest rating) cyclone. They appear to have come through this event moderately undamaged (except for a few windows etc).

Another victim of the weather is the farmer, who not only has had their home battered but also their livelihood seriously impaired for at least a year. A significant percentage of the banana crops were ruined - and this region is our major supplier.