Updated on
Summary
Cyclone Yasi is the strongest storm to threaten Australia in living memory, but the country has long record of powerful cyclones causing death and destruction.Only Australia's relatively sparse population along much of its northern coastline has limited the damage in the past. But booming mining communities, ports, agriculture and tourism businesses mean more property in the path of storms. Scientists say Yasi's size and strength is being fed by historically high sea surface temperatures that are providing fuel and moisture to power the storm. Australian officials have urged residents in parts of Queensland to evacuate with their loved ones before Cyclone Yasi strikes. Officials say the category five storm is expected to be the largest to ever hit the continent. Last month, Queensland was hit by widespread deadly flooding. Yasi is currently 555km east of Cairns and 560km northeast of Townsville. It has winds of up to 295 km/h at its centre.
