In Australia, fierce winds and driving rains, brought by the most powerful storm ever to hit Queensland, are lashing northern coastal areas of the state. With winds forecast to reach up to 300 kph, Cyclone Yasi is ripping roofs off buildings and has cut power to at least 90,000 people. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has warned residents of devastation and heartbreak on an unprecedented scale. Ms Bligh described the weather system as the most catastrophic storm ever seen in the state. She predicted it would be a very frightening time, with 24 hours of terrifying winds, torrential rains, and the likely loss of electricity and mobile phones. She warned that it could cause a tidal surge as high as nine metres, overwhelming low-lying coastal areas. Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the storm as a cyclone of savagery and intensity. The state disaster co-ordinator warned residents they would be on their own for up to 24 hours when Yasi strikes. Many fear this could be worse than Cyclone Tracy, which hit Darwin on Christmas Eve in 1974 and killed 71 people. Meteorologists upgraded Cyclone Yasi to a category five storm. With winds of almost 300 km/h, they are warning it poses an extremely serious threat to life and property, especially around the cities of Cairns and Townsville.