Cyclone Yasi strikes Australian coast

Officials have said Cyclone Yasi is likely to cause destruction on a huge scale and probably some deaths.

It has been measured as a category five storm – putting it on a par with Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005.

Tens of thousands of people are sheltering in their homes without electricity, with strong gusts and heavy rain lashing a stretch of Queensland's northeast coast.

The destructive core of the storm swept in from the Pacific before hitting land at about midnight local time (3pm in Europe). Experts say it will be several hours before the winds ease.

There have been early reports of trees blown down, roofs ripped from buildings, window shutters tearing off walls and flooded houses.

The massive weather system is 310 miles (500km) across, with the eye alone measuring some 60 miles (100km) across. Gusts of almost 190mph (300kmh) are expected.

Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes and more than 10,000 are huddling in emergency evacuation centres in Queensland, which is still reeling from last month's floods.

Mines, rail lines and coal ports have been closed and officials are warning that even areas well inland could be badly affected.

Because the cyclone coincides with high tide, there are fears it will cause a storm surge of more than 20ft, sweeping a wall of water inland.

Some 90,000 homes have been left without electricity, including areas of Cairns, Townsville and Innisfail, according to the latest figures from Queensland officials - but the number is likely to rise through the night.

Speaking at a news conference earlier, she said waves had reached record heights in the sea off the coast of Townsville.

The speed of the cyclone had slowed slightly, she said, which meant storm surges – and flooding – might not be as bad as previously feared.

But it could also mean destructive winds lingering in areas for longer.

Queensland police have had many emergency calls - including requests for evacuations - but officers have said they are unable to assist "other than give advice on sheltering".

Packed shelters have had to turn away some residents.

Cairns, a city of about 164,000 people, is a popular gateway for visitors to the Great Barrier Reef.

Tourists left in the city, where the airport has been shut down, have been urged to stay in their hotel rooms, or in bathrooms if necessary.