Sydney Cyclone-like Storm

A cyclonic storm lashing Australia's east coast for a third day was declared a catastrophe on Wednesday after destroying homes, cutting power to more than 200,000 homes and causing millions of dollars of damage in Sydney and other cities.

Three people died as Sydney and surrounding areas were lashed by wild weather Tuesday with trees felled, power cuts hitting thousands of homes and sand drifts sweeping inland off the iconic Bondi beach.

A cyclonic storm lashing Australia's east coast for a third day was declared a catastrophe on Wednesday after destroying homes, cutting power to more than 200,000 homes and causing millions of dollars of damage in Sydney and other cities.

Three people died as Sydney and surrounding areas were lashed by wild weather Tuesday with trees felled, power cuts hitting thousands of homes and sand drifts sweeping inland off the iconic Bondi beach.