‘Cyclone Sandwich’ Strikes Australia: Marcia, Lam Hit Queensland And Northern Territory

Tropical Cyclone Marcia made landfall in Queensland, Australia, on Friday morning, causing widespread damage and cutting power supply to the region. The cyclone, which was a Category 5 when it made landfall, has since been downgraded to a Category 2, the country's Bureau of Meteorology said, in its latest weather update.

Marcia is moving south at a speed of 12 mph with wind gusts of about 105 mph. Early Friday, the cyclone reportedly left a trail of uprooted trees and damaged houses as it passed through the towns of Yeppoon and Rockhampton. Australian authorities urged residents to remain indoors and avoid using roads.

Meanwhile, in the country’s Northern Territory, Cyclone Lam made landfall as a Category 4 storm. It has now been downgraded to a tropical low, the country's meteorology department said, adding that the storm, with sustained wind gusts of about 53 mph, could continue to bring heavy rainfall to the region and cause flash floods.

Galiwinku and Milingimbi, located in Arnhem Land, were worst hit by Lam, and authorities reported "severe damage" to several houses.

"Initial indications are that there has been substantial damage, initial reports are the airstrip is still intact but covered with debris," Bruce Porter, a regional police commander at Elcho Island, said, according to The Telegraph.

"There are downed power lines. There are a number of trees down and many roads are impassable and we do have a number of buildings and houses that have been severely damaged,” Porter reportedly said.