Tropical Cyclones Attacking Australia: Big Pic
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Feb. 1, 2011 -- Tropical Cyclone Yasi, recently upgraded to a category 5, the highest level of threat, is bearing down on Queensland Australia and the Great Barrier Reef with wind speeds likely exceeding 175 mph. Heavy precipitation resulting from a combination of Tropical Storm Tasha in late 2010, monsoon rains, and the strongest La Niña to hit the planet in 35 years – have inundated the region with floods deep enough for sharks to visit.
Sharks Swimming in Australia's Flooded Streets
Airport evacuations from Cairns and neighboring cities have been ongoing over the last several days. Cyclone Yasi follows on the heels of Tropical Storm Anthony that struck northern Queensland on Sunday with gusts of about 90 mph.
On the other side of the country, Tropical Cyclone Bianca hit the brakes over the weekend downgrading to storm strength on Sunday and washed southward over Australia's west coast.
Images: Tropical Cyclones Yasi (top) and Bianca (bottom) courtesy of Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC.
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