Cyclone-hit tourists raiding bins | Whitsundays News | Local News in Whitsundays

A boat crashed against rocks at Airlie beach as Cyclone Ului lashed the region with 200km/h winds.

AAP

Photos

Cyclone Ului - in pictures

View Photo Gallery »

Related Articles

• Cyclone-hit tourists raid bins for food
• Cyclone's gales lash Mackay
• Whitsundays hit by 200kmh gusts
• Ului threat passes leaving flood fears
• Mackay still powerless after Ului
• Ului could cost cane farmers $60m
• Boaties count cost of destruction
• Ului prompts disaster alert
• Whitsunday flights cancelled
• Ului costs fishing millions
• Teen dies at ironman titles

Earlier articles

• Heron Island evacuates 150 tourists
• Qld braces for Cyclone Ului
• Surfers hope for 'swell of the century'
• Cyclone Ului puzzles expert

Further information

Local weather forecast

Bureau of Meteorology warnings

HUNGRY backpackers have resorted to sifting through rubbish bins for food in Airlie Beach after cyclone Ului cut power to the town.

Businesses in the Great Barrier Reef tourist hub have been without power since Ului crossed the coast early on Sunday morning.

At its peak, 50,000 homes and businesses in the region were blacked out.

Whitsunday mayor Mike Brunker said a food service had been set up at the local lagoon after the council learned backpackers were struggling to find food.

"We've had reports of people sifting through rubbish bins for food, so we've asked the Lions Club to come in and help out," he said.

Mr Brunker said locals had followed advice to stockpile food, but there were limited options for visitors.