'Calamity' warning as cyclones hit Australia coastline

A powerful cyclone has hit the coast of central Queensland in Australia.

Cyclone Marcia made landfall near the tourist town of Yeppoon, where it tore roofs off houses.

The cyclone has since been downgraded but was expected to cause massive seas with abnormally high tides, flash flooding and winds gusting up to nearly 300 kilometres per hour.

Separately, Tropical Cyclone Lam hit the Northern Territory, effectively "sandwiching" the country.

Phil Mercer reports