"A huge cyclone barrelling towards Australia was Wednesday upgraded to the highest threat level as meteorologists warned it was shaping up to be the most life-threatening storm in generations.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi strengthened to a category five storm from category four as it menaced the country's populous east coast, where it was set to hit late Wednesday or early Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology said."

AFP had the story February 2, 2011. [2]