<p><br /> Australia is braced for the second of two tropical cyclones heading for the flood-shattered country.<br /> </p><p><br /> On Monday Cyclone Anthony hit the Queensland state coast but quickly weakened from 80 mph winds to a tropical low.<br /> </p><p><br /> While the storm knocked down power lines and uprooted trees, communities were spared any major damage.<br /> </p><p><br /> It is feared that the country will not be so fortunate when Cyclone Yasi hits the coast on Wednesday or Thursday.<br /> </p><p><br /> Forecasters say the storm could be generating gales of more than 250 kph when it hits, which would put it on a par with Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005.<br /> </p><p><br /> Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters: "This is a very serious threat, it may be one of the largest and most significant cyclones we've ever had to deal with."<br /> </p><p><br /> Disaster management officials are on alert and evacuation centres available if needed.<br /> </p><p><br /> Queensland, which accounts for about a fifth of Australia's economy and 90 per cent of its exports of coal, has borne the brunt of a cruel summer, with floods having swept across the eastern seaboard in the past month, killing at least 35 people.<br /> </p>
