Australians Evacuate Ahead of Massive Cyclone

A Katrina-sized storm could reach the same area of Queensland devastated by floods last month.

Residents of Queensland must be wondering what they did to anger Mother Nature, as a cyclone generating 280 km/h winds bears down on the same state that experienced deadly floods last month. Rail lines, coal ports, and mines in the path of Cyclone Yasi have been shut down and thousands of residents and tourists have been evacuated. Police have been given the power to remove residents by force. With a four-metre tidal surge being predicted, authorities are taking no chances and used military helicopters to evacuate at least one hospital. The storm is expected to maintain much of its power after hitting the coast, and could sweep inland and reach the flood-affected communities.