Cleanup in Australia following Cyclone Debbie’s landfall

World Today

In Australia tens of thousands of people are sill living without power after Cyclone Debbie swept the northern coastline.

Widespread flooding has restricted access to several communities.

CGTN’s Greg Navarro reports.

Even those Queensland towns not in Debbie’s direct path had work to do Wednesday. The wind in the rural community of Home Hill was strong enough to rip the sign off of the local grocery store.

Several North Queensland communities could not escape a direct hit. Many towns – known as popular tourist destinations – suffered widespread damage. Some along the coast were pounded with winds gusting more than 260 kilometers an hour.

Flood warnings are following the slow moving storm south – which continues to drench parts of the state. Emergency crews have been mobilized from across the country.

They are trying to reach the tens of thousands of people who remain without power. Many hard hit areas are running low on fresh water.

Residents are pitching in too to help clear debris and access to roads.

State officials say the damage to the region isn’t limited to homes and businesses. They’re waiting for conditions to lessen to determine the financial hit to Queensland’s agriculture industry as well.