Flooding is likely to continue in northern Queensland state after tropical cyclone Ului hit the coast early on Sunday morning, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said Sunday.

At least 60,000 homes are without power and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said initial reports suggest the damage is moderate-to-severe, although it's too early to assess the full extent of the damage, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on its Web site.

Heavy rainfall and flooding are likely to continue about coastal and adjacent inland areas between Bowen and St Lawrence, the Bureau said. The cyclone is weakening rapidly and is expected to be downgraded below cyclone strength this afternoon, it said.

Macarthur Coal Ltd. on Friday declared force majeure on some shipments after the closure of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal due to the approach of the cyclone.

A Dalrymple Bay coal terminal spokesman said Friday the last ship sailed from the terminal on Wednesday evening. "Ideally, we'd like to be back operating again some time Monday, but it is really a matter of what happens over the next couple of days," the spokesman said Friday.

BHP Billiton Ltd. closed its Hay Point coal export terminal on Mar.11 due to high winds and rough seas and a spokeswoman said Wednesday that the closure is starting to affect production at some coal mines and rail operations. A BHP spokesperson wasn't immediately available for comment Sunday.