Australian authorities ordered 40,000 people to evacuate to higher ground on March 30 as a storm system generated by a powerful cyclone that pummelled the northeast two days ago swept down the coast with heavy rain.
Australian authorities ordered 40,000 people to evacuate to higher ground on March 30 as a storm system generated by a powerful cyclone that pummelled the northeast two days ago swept down the coast with heavy rain.
Cyclone Debbie hit as a category four storm in the north of tropical Queensland state on Tuesday, smashing tourist resorts, bringing down power lines, flattening canefields and shutting down coal mines.
Driving rain fell most heavily on Thursday in hinterland and coastal areas either side of the state capital, Brisbane.
Take a look at the damage the cyclone has caused in Queensland.
(With agency inputs)
1. Fish out of water
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A bull shark washed up on a road near the town of Ayr. Torrential rain hampered relief efforts on March 30, 2017 after a powerful cyclone wreaked havoc in northeast Australia, with floods sparking emergency rescues as fed-up tourists began evacuating from resort islands. Image courtesy: AFP
2. In deep water
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Buildings can be seen near the flooded Pioneer River after Cyclone Debbie hit the region in the northern Queensland town of Mackay in Australia, March 29, 2017. Image courtesy: Reuters
3. Destruction everywhere
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Local resident Bradley Mitchell inspects the damage to a relative's boat after it smashed against the bank after Cyclone Debbie passed through the township of Airlie Beach, located south of the northern Australian city of Townsville, March 29, 2017. Image courtesy: Reuters
4. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull examines damage
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Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (2nd L) points to the damage caused by Cyclone Debbie as he examines an area of Bowen in northern Queensland by helicopter on March 30, 2017. Image courtesy: AFP
5. Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten
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Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (L) and opposition leader, Bill Shorten, wipe flood waters out of a building as they visit areas of Bowen in northern Queensland damaged by Cyclone Debbie. Image courtesy: AFP
6. Cyclone Debbie floods Australia
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Damaged and flooded areas can be seen from an Australian Army helicopter after Cyclone Debbie passed through the area near the town of Bowen, located south of the northern Queensland town of Townsville in Australia. Image courtesy: Reuters
7. Cyclone Debbie hits Gold Coast
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Cars sit submerged after heavy rain associated with Cyclone Debbie hit the Gold Coast suburb of Robina in Queensland, Australia. Image courtesy: Reuters
8. Cars submerged in flooded car park
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Submerged cars sit abandoned in a flooded car park in Toombul, in Queensland. Image courtesy: AFP
9. More damage caused by Cyclone Debbie
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Damaged trees and buildings can be seen after Cyclone Debbie hit the resort on Hamilton Island, located off the east coast of Queensland in Australia. Image courtesy: Reuters
