Massive Cyclone Yasi Hits Australia

Australia has had a tough summer. Last month severe flooding ravaged Queensland in the northeast part of the continent, killing 20 and affecting 3.1 million more. Now Cyclone Yasi, a Category 4 monster packing 180 mph winds, has begun her assault on the beleagured state. Originally a Category 5 cyclone as she approached land, Yasi is the largest storm to hit Oz — bigger even than 2006’s Larry which killed one person and caused over $1 billion (AUS) in damage — and is expected to continue its swath of destruction through Friday.

Reports of roofs ripped from houses, uprooted trees and mass power outages have already begun trickling in, though no deaths or injuries have been reported yet. With powerful storm surges forecasted, no doubt the yachting community will suffer dramatically. Our thoughts are with our southern hemisphere friends.