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| Cyclone Yasi |
UPDATE: Police have confirmed a man and a woman reported missing near Port Hinchinbrook, near Cardwell, have been found safe. There were reports the couple's boat had capsized.
The massive storm system was last night dumping heavy rain across most of the eastern half of the country as Yasi powered thousands of kilometres inland, causing flash flooding and hailstorms near Melbourne.
The overwhelming clean-up effort across the Far North started yesterday with hundreds of emergency service workers clearing debris and Ergon Energy crews restoring power to 4500 homes in Cairns.
But thousands more are still without power or phone services this weekend as cyclone damage and continuing rains hinder access and repairs.
Even the army had problems getting to towns such as Cardwell, Tully Heads and Mission Beach after getting stuck at Ingham because of the flooded Bruce Highway.
Yasi’s first known victim was a 23-year-old man near Ingham, who was asphyxiated as a result of using a generator while he was sheltering in a small room in his house.
Police were last night searching for a married couple after their vessel reportedly capsized and sank during the cyclone at Port Hinchinbrook harbour and a teenager is missing in a swollen river northwest of Townsville.
Most supermarkets in the region reopened yesterday but a rush of customers and a cut Bruce Highway has already led to a shortage of supplies.
Other shops were forced to throw out trolley-loads of food because they were spoiled by power blackouts.
IGA store owner Terry Casey donated any salvageable food from his Tully shop to the Salvation Army but had to dump the rest.
“We got the generator in this morning, but it was just too late for most of it,” he said.
A ship loaded with 2750 tonnes of food and other basic items was en route to re-stock north Queensland last night.
The State Government was exploring more options to get supplies to cyclone-affected area with inland roads, air freight and military transport being considered.
The Bruce Highway at Cardwell is expected to be opened today but authorities pleaded with motorists to drive with extreme caution.
Towns hit hardest by Yasi were spared torrential rain after it hit, making assessments and clean-up efforts slightly easier.
But Cairns received more than 250mm in the 24 hours after the cyclone, with more rain and thunderstorms expected in the region over the weekend.
Suncorp predicts the cost of all insurance claims for Yasi will be similar to cyclone Larry, with estimates up to $700 million will be paid out.
“Obviously, there will be total losses, with houses totally destroyed at Tully, Cardwell and Mission Beach,” Suncorp’s Mark Milliner said.
Policy holders are urged to lodge their claims quickly with 1400 already filed by noon yesterday.
Premier Anna Bligh in Cairns yesterday said no amount of briefings could have prepared her for what she saw.
“Cardwell is a lovely seaside village and right now it looks like a war zone, parts of this town are not recognisable right now, but we can fix it,” she said.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the cost of the cyclone disaster would inevitably lead to budget cuts that Australians would not like.
“But we will do that to make sure we have the resources available to rebuild in north and Far North Queensland,” she said.
But octogenarian Don Cameron said he would have rather died in the storm than face the task of rebuilding his life after his home at Tully Heads was destroyed.
The retiree’s wife Sandra says it’s the first time she has seen her husband shed tears.
“People say good old Queenslanders are tough and they can rebuild, but this is just too hard for us,” Ms Cameron said.
