Main stories in Wednesday's World Today

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2011
Main stories in Wednesday's World Today

SYDNEY, Feb 2 AAP - Main stories in Wednesday's World Today:

* Queenslanders are bracing for Cyclone Yasi as the category-five storm bears down
on the coast, with residents in Cairns, Townsville and other areas being urgently evacuated.

Queensland premier Anna Bligh has warned families to mentally prepare for the cyclone,
which as the largest on record will bring extreme winds, rain and huge tide surges.

* Evacuation centres in Cairns are nearing capacity as residents flee the approaching
category-five Cyclone Yasi, which is scheduled to cross the coast at around 10pm on Wednesday
night. The evacuation of the Cairns hospital went smoothly, with a temporary emergency
department established at a sports ground, but the authorities are asking only those with
serious ailments attend the makeshift centre.

* People in the community of Townsville are still scrambling to prepare their homes
before Cyclone Yasi hits, but as the category-five storms builds up intensity many are
choosing instead to evacuate. The last flight out of Townsville left on Wednesday morning,
with the airport to be closed by the early afternoon.

AAP nep/klm

KEYWORD: MONITOR WORLD TODAY

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