Current:Home > BackStorm hits Australia with strong winds and power outages, but weakens from cyclone to tropical storm-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Storm hits Australia with strong winds and power outages, but weakens from cyclone to tropical storm
View Date:2024-12-23 23:53:56
SYDNEY (AP) — Strong winds hit Australia’s northeast coast Friday, leaving thousands without power, but the area was spared heavy damage as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily weakened into a tropical storm.
Wind gusts of up to 170 kilometers an hour (105.6 miles per hour) battered coastal cities and towns, while fallen trees caused property damage. Weather officials warned of continuing heavy rain and strong winds.
But the cyclone was downgraded Friday to a tropical storm after making landfall in Queensland state Thursday night. There were no reported deaths or serious injuries.
“It was still a significant weather system and brought significant rain into interior Queensland,” the Bureau of Meteorology wrote on social media Friday.
A severe weather warning remains for heavy rain with the possibility of damaging winds. Northwest Queensland could get around 200 millimeters (7.87 inches) of rain over the next few days, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
Coastal Queensland is popular with holidaymakers and tourists, but the wild weather caused problems for the Australia Day holiday Friday as a number of campgrounds were forced to close.
Queensland premier Steven Miles warned that the threat was not over. “We’re not out of the woods, but we will continue to work to be prepared to support Queensland communities,” he said.
It’s the second cyclone in as many months to hit the region, after December saw Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Jasper was the first tropical cyclone of the Australian season, which spans the southern hemisphere hot months of November to April.
veryGood! (39)
Related
- Up to 20 human skulls found in man's discarded bags, home in New Mexico
- A new study says about half of Nicaragua’s population wants to emigrate
- Peruvian rainforest defender from embattled Kichwa tribe shot dead in river attack
- Six West Virginia jail employees indicted in connection with death of incarcerated man
- Jared Goff stats: Lions QB throws career-high 5 INTs in SNF win over Texans
- Texas could be a major snub when College Football Playoff field is announced
- Rumer Willis Shares Empowering Message About Avoiding Breastfeeding Shame
- Collective bargaining ban in Wisconsin under attack by unions after Supreme Court majority flips
- Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution
- Families reunite with 17 Thai hostages freed by Hamas at homecoming at Bangkok airport
Ranking
- Artem Chigvintsev Returns to Dancing With the Stars Ballroom Amid Nikki Garcia Divorce
- Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner Is Getting a Live Wedding Special: Save the Date
- DeSantis and Newsom will face off in a Fox News event featuring two governors with White House hopes
- Southern California's Bronny James cleared by doctors for 'full return to basketball'
- Rare Alo Yoga Flash Sale: Don’t Miss 60% Off Deals With Styles as Low as $5
- Texas woman creates first HBCU doll line, now sold at Walmart and Target
- Massachusetts lawmakers consider funding temporary shelter for homeless migrant families
- See Blue Ivy and Beyoncé's Buzzing Moment at Renaissance Film London Premiere
Recommendation
-
'Yellowstone's powerful opening: What happened to Kevin Costner's John Dutton?
-
NFL Week 13 picks: Can Cowboys stay hot against Seahawks?
-
Work resumes on $10B renewable energy transmission project despite tribal objections
-
Live updates | More Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are released under truce
-
'This dude is cool': 'Cross' star Aldis Hodge brings realism to literary detective
-
Travis Kelce's Ex Kayla Nicole Reveals How She Tunes Out the Noise in Message on Hate
-
Top world leaders will speak at UN climate summit. Global warming, fossil fuels will be high in mind
-
USC's Bronny James cleared to return to basketball 4 months after cardiac arrest