A powerful tropical cyclone ripped the roofs off buildings and uprooted trees in northeastern Australia, tearing across the region yesterday with devastating winds that pinned emergency workers inside despite pleas from terrified residents.

With winds up to 180 mph at its height, Tropical Cyclone Larry smashed into the coastal community of Innisfail, about 60 miles south of Cairns, a popular jumping-off point for the Great Barrier Reef. Hundreds of tourists bunkered down in resort hotels.

?The damage was extensive in Innisfail, where many of the 8 500 residents rode out the storm in their homes?, said Jim Guthrie, a spokesman for Queensland state?s health department.?This is far north Queensland and most people live with cyclones year in, year out. They do take precautions,» he said. «We?ve come out of it extremely well.?

At the storm?s height, police said they were unable to venture out to help fearful residents who called to say the gale-force winds had ripped the roofs off buildings and destroyed their homes.

Queensland state Premier Peter Beattie declared a state of emergency. ?It?s the worst cyclone we?ve had in decades,? Beattie told the Nine television network yesterday.

The Bureau of Meteorology yesterday upgraded the cyclone to a Category 5 ? the strongest category possible ? shortly before it crossed the coast, but then lowered it to a Category 3 as the storm crossed land and weakened, with wind gusts up to 125 mph.

The storm passed directly over Australia?s Great Barrier Reef, the world?s largest coral system, but there was no immediate word on what damage the reef may have sustained.

?If any military assets are needed, they will be made available,? Prime Minister John Howard said.