Australian state official declares disaster zone as Tropical Cyclone Ului nears coast

Aust. state named disaster zone as cyclone nears

AIRLIE BEACH, Australia — The premier of Australia’s Queensland state has declared parts of its coast a disaster zone as a tropical cyclone approaches.

Premier Anna Bligh said Saturday that the declaration gives the state the power to order mandatory evacuations if required.

Tropical Cyclone Ului is forecast to cross the northeastern Australian coast early Sunday packing winds of up to 105 miles (170 kilometers) an hour.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that up to 12 inches (300 millimeters) of rain could fall.

Resorts along the Great Barrier Reef have evacuated in anticipation of the storm. Residents likely to be affected have taped up windows and stocked up on supplies.