Destruction as massive cyclones hit Australia

Waves crash into a breakwall after Tropical Cyclone Marcia made landfall in the coastal town of Yeppoon in north Queensland on February 20, 2015. -AFP

YEPPOON, Australia: Two powerful cyclones roared ashore in Australia Friday leaving a trail of destruction with buildings severely damaged, trees uprooted and power lines downed, cutting electricity to thousands of people.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia, a category five tempest, slammed into the Queensland coast just after 2200 GMT Thursday with its landfall coming just hours after a second big storm -- Cyclone Lam -- hit further north.