A powerful tropical cyclone has hit Australia's northeast coast with winds of up to 290km/h.
Cyclone Larry, one of the worst storms to hit the state of Queensland in decades, has left tens of thousands of people without electricity.
There have been no reports of deaths, but officials say up to 30 people have received minor injuries.
Initially a Category Five storm, Larry was downgraded to Category Four by the time it hit land at Innisfail, about 100km south of Cairns.
The town, which is home to about 8,500 people, bore the brunt of the storm with more than half of all houses sustaining some damage.
Earlier, thousands of people fled their homes as mandatory evacuations were enforced in several coastal areas.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who has put the military on alert to help with rescue operations, has said he will visit the worst-hit areas in the coming days.
Meteorologists said Cyclone Larry was similar in size to Cyclone Tracy, which killed 71 people and destroyed about 70% of the northern city of Darwin in 1974.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said people concerned about friends and family in the affected areas should contact it on 01-4780822.
