SYDNEY, Australia - A powerful tropical cyclone ripped the roofs off buildings and uprooted trees in northeastern Australia, tearing across the region on Monday with devastating winds that kept emergency workers holed up 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.

注释：

1、tropical cyclone：热带气旋
2、uproot：v. 连根拔起
3、tear across：匆匆穿过
4、devastating：adj. 破坏性的
5、emergency worker：急救工人
6、hole up：躲藏
7、mph：时速，miles per hour的缩写形式
8、smash：v. 打碎、粉碎
9、Great Barrier Reef：大堡礁，位于澳大利亚东北部昆士兰州的东海岸，由2900个独立的珊瑚礁石群组成，是世界上最大的礁岩体，是成千上万种海洋生物的安居之所，其中包括1500种鱼类、4000种软体生物、350种珊瑚家族以及多种鸟类和海龟等，堪称为世界上最大的天然海洋公园、珊瑚水族馆。