Towns wait patiently for services

RESIDENTS in the cyclone-hit towns of Ingham and Forrest Beach were still without power last night but considered themselves lucky

RESIDENTS in the cyclone-hit towns of Ingham and Forrest Beach were still without power last night but considered themselves lucky to have escaped with their homes relatively intact.

The Herbert Valley, centred on Ingham, was spared the worst of Cyclone Yasi's winds by the giant block of Hinchinbrook Island, but rainfall from the cyclone was heaviest in the mountains behind Ingham, and the Herbert River broke its banks at several points.

Canegrowers were yesterday inspecting the damage to the crop in one of Australia's few "sugar towns", but while there are no definitive figures for crop losses, they are expected to be substantial.

On the coast from Ingham and more exposed to Yasi's fury was the small community of Forrest Beach. The main beach is littered with palm trees, streets are strewn with powerlines but most of the houses were, incredibly, untouched by the cyclone.

Residents in both towns had water connected on Saturday night but were still waiting for electricity. The only service station in Ingham was rationing its petrol to one jerry can for each local's generator. Petrol for cars was not allowed.

Dozens queued for the petrol and basic supplies such as water and the little food available. But they were taking it in their stride, saying the community had "been fantastic" and were even sharing generators between homes.

But some did feel cut off from the world, with mobile phones barely working and some families unable to contact relatives to tell them they were OK.

"We haven't been able to find out anything, and we have heard nothing because we don't have any electricity," said Forrest Beach resident Beryl Mackay.

"And so many people here don't have generators. But we have water now, which after five days, means we can have a shower. We just have to be laidback about the situation as we cannot really do anything about it."

Jason Waldon, who lives on the foreshore with his wife and four children, said yesterday he could not believe how lucky he was.

"I didn't think there would be anything left along this road when I came back," he said. "But when I drove down here on Thursday, our house had not been affected at all."

Mr Waldon, who sheltered at his office in Ingham during the cyclone, said he felt for communities such as Tully and Caldwell, which had been hit the worst.

"What a difference 50km makes," he said. "We were very lucky down here."

Neighbour and head of Hinchinbrook Shire's disaster co-ordination Rob Clark agreed. "I expected us to get pretty bashed around but I was pleasantly surprised," he said. "I have just lost a bit of gutter and a few trees, so I cannot complain."

Mr Clark said other beachfront communities -- including the town of Lucinda, right on the point -- also escaped serious damage.

Dzidra Castorano, who lives on the same street, said her back garden was destroyed along with some roofing. The 81-year-old said she felt all alone because she could not call someone to help her with her damaged garden. "We have no phones, no electricity," she said.

Maureen Sharader also lived directly on the beach and the only damage to her property was to her pergola. "I just can't believe it. I mean, I am on the beach," she said. "But I did say a prayer before I left."