UPDATED - Tropical Cyclone Yasi has been downgraded to a category three cyclone, but with wind gusts of around 180km/h at its core, remains "very destructive" as it moves across Queensland, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology says.
North Queensland residents are expecting daylight to reveal widespread destruction from Cyclone Yasi, after a
terrifying night where the region was battered by the worst tropical storm in living memory.
ABC Radio reported that 170,000 homes were this morning without power.
Early reports suggest the communities of Mission Beach, where the then category five monster made landfall about midnight (AEST), nearby Tully, and Innisfail, 50km north of ground zero, are the worst hit.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology downgraded Yasi to a Category 3 at 4.48am EST (7.48am NZT).
For stories and the latest updates on Cyclone Yasi from our Australian APN partner Mackay Daily Mercury news, click here.
