Something So Beautiful: Cyclone Larry: Update

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Cyclone Larry: Update

All those wanting to know. No, I don't live near where the cyclone hit. The cyclone was up and north of queensland and I am down the very bottom. I can't remember ever having a cyclone in brisbane. But anyway here's an update that was posted on www.ninemsn.com.

Prime Minister John Howard will visit cyclone-ravaged far north Queensland on Wednesday, and has promised federal government assistance for affected residents.
Cyclone Larry, the strongest storm to hit Queensland in decades, devastated the Innisfail region on Monday, causing severe damage to property and crops.
Mr Howard has heard first-hand of farmers' heartbreak at seeing their livelihoods swept away by the cyclone.

One farmer, Patrick Leahy, president of the Australian Banana Growers' Council, told Mr Howard he faced at least six months without an income after Cyclone Larry destroyed his banana crop near Tully.

"It was devastating to sit in my house and watch my crop just slowly ... go to the ground," Mr Leahy told Macquarie Radio.

"We're going to take at least $300 to $350 million out of the economy of north Queensland over the next nine months."

Mr Howard urged north Queensland communities not to despair, adding that the federal government stood ready to help and he would visit the area on Wednesday.

"Your (banana) industry is quite crucial to the economy of the devastated area," he told Macquarie Radio.

"When something comes along like this and flattens you, then you are entitled to say, 'Well, can somebody give us a bit of a hand to get back on our feet?'.

"That ought to be the aim of the government and it will be the aim of the government.
"The federal government will give what is needed to get these communities back on their feet.
"We just need a day or two to make a proper assessment of how the money can best be spent."
Mr Howard said he was glad there had been no reports of deaths or serious injuries so far as a result of the cyclone.

He acknowledged the economic impact of the cyclone would be severe.
"You've got all those tiny communities there dependent on certain industries which are very seasonal," Mr Howard said.

"They struggle - only one or two years out of five is any good if they're lucky - and then they get flattened by something like this. It's very hard."

"All of us are going to have financial hardship.

Please pray for the towns effected by Cyclone Larry. I believe the Cyclone was measured at category 5 when it hit the coast off inisvale.

Thoughts shared by kdoll aka *~Puzzle~*

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