‘Monster’ cyclone Debbie batters north-east Australia - video

Hundreds of schools were closed on Tuesday and more than 50,000 households were without power by mid-afternoon. Handout from the Bureau of Meterology / EPA

A “monster” cyclone smashed into north-east Australia on Tuesday, cutting power, damaging buildings and uprooting trees, with coastal towns in lockdown as residents battled lashing rain and howling winds.