Flood-devastated Queensland braces for cyclone
The Australian state of Queensland which has already been hit by deadly floods in recent weeks has stretched more devastation as a tropical cyclone which raged against his ribs.
Hundreds of patients were evacuated to hospitals in the north Queensland city of Cairns, and residents are told to leave their homes category four cyclone closes in Yasi
The storm - expected to pack winds of over 200 km / h (125 mph) - is expected to Landfall between Cairns and Innisfail after 7:00 local time Wednesday.
Experts say that will bring rain and cause storm surges of up to two feet of ordinary high tide line, flooding low-lying areas along the coast.
Police Deputy Commissioner Ian Stewart said the state faces "one of the most significant weather events" in its history.
"This is a life-threatening storm, and people must understand that they have a last chance for self-evacuation," said Stewart.
"In the hours that are left, people need to make final preparations for an evacuation or shelter in place".
State premier Anna Bligh has urged residents in areas at risk to take reasonable precautions to stay inside when the storm hits.
"It will be very damaging winds ... life will be endangered if people do business out of them.
"The loss of lives and serious injuries ultimately depends on the people are sensitive, listen to the warnings, taking the advice and not treat it as a tourist event.
"It will be an example of the awesome power of nature, but it's not something you want to go out and look."
More than 250 patients - including premature babies, people in intensive care and dialysis - are transferred to facilities in Brisbane for treatment after the storm forced the closure of two hospitals in Cairns.
"We understand that this may cause some concern, but is only to ensure that seriously ill patients are very vulnerable to the safest place possible," said Bligh.
More than 20 people were killed and thousands of homes were destroyed, when severe floods hit Queensland in January, affecting 3.1 million people.
Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced a flood of tax time to help pay for the approximately AUS $ 5.6 billion (U.S. $ 5.58 billion) damage.