Cyclone Yasi is truly frightening and is certain to claim lives and inflict several more billions of dollars of damage to the already battered Queensland economy. Clearly it will disrupt the tourism sector, which is so vital to North Queensland’s economy, and many other industries as well. For example, with the cyclone expected to cross near Innisfail, 85% of Australia’s banana crop is under threat:

Banana crops in Queensland face another hit from cyclone as Yasi approaches

All the news we’re hearing is very bad, but even so this report from today’s Townsville Bulletin stands out:

Stay safe North Queenslanders.