🌪️ Townsville Takes a Hit: Tropical Cyclone Kirrily slammed into Queensland’s coast near the Great Barrier Reef late Thursday, leaving over 64,000 residents in the dark. The category two storm brought 140 km/h winds and torrential rains before weakening to a tropical low on Friday.
💡 Power Outage Chaos: Ergon Energy confirmed widespread damage, with Townsville hardest hit. Spokesperson Emma Oliveri warned it’s \"too early to predict when power will return\" as crews assess downed lines and debris.
🌍 El Niño’s Wild Side: The storm adds to Australia’s extreme weather woes amid an active El Niño cycle, known for fueling cyclones, droughts, and heatwaves. Queensland Premier Steven Miles called it \"a stark reminder of climate challenges\" during a press briefing.
🌀 Recovery Mode: While no major injuries are reported, locals are urged to avoid floodwaters and damaged areas. Tourism operators along the reef are assessing impacts ahead of peak travel season.
