Sonia Ball
Natural Disasters
Yasi now a Category 3 cyclone
TROPICAL Cyclone Yasi is now a Category 3 system but the Bureau of Meteorology warns it is still a dangerous force.
Forecasters predict it will continue to weaken as it moves west-southwesterly towards the Georgetown area during the morning.
Winds at the core are decribed as "very destructive", with gusts up to 205 kmh.
Destructive winds with gusts of more than 125kmh are occurring between Innisfail and Townsville and extending inland to east of Georgetown.
Damagings winds with gusts above 90kmh are occurring in remaining coastal areas between Cape Tribulation and Proserpine, and are forecast to extend through to Mt Isa during the day.
Winds are forecast to gradually ease about the east coast during the morning.
