Sydney, February 20 (RHC)-- Two severe cyclones have swept into Australia, ripping apart houses, uprooting trees and knocking out electricity to thousands of people. Tropical Cyclone Marcia, a top-rating category five storm, hit the Queensland coast between St Lawrence and Yeppoon on Thursday.

In the Northern Territory, Tropical Cyclone Lam also made landfall as a category 4 system, striking Elcho Island and causing extensive damage to remote Aboriginal communities. Local residents said that the cyclones had torn off roofs from a number of houses and uprooted trees.

Meanwhile, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said local residents should be prepared for evacuation if advised by the authorities. It warned about possible tidal and flash flooding, adding that destructive winds are also threatening coastal and island communities.