Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, a Category 2 storm, made landfall along the coast bordering the Great Barrier Reef near the tourist town of Townsville, knocking out power to around 66,000 people yesterday.

Kirrily was the second tropical cyclone in the area since December when Jasper caused widespread regional damage as Australia endures an El Nino weather event, typically associated with extreme phenomena including cyclones.

Ergon Energy spokesman Emma Oliveri said today around 48,700 people remained without power due to the cyclone.

The aim was to have the most customers’ power back on by the end of tomorrow, Oliveri said.

“There will be some outlying areas where it’ll be a longer wait,” she said, adding that most of the power outages were caused by trees and large branches on power lines.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that military personnel were on standby to assist with the clean-up.

Category 2 cyclones are three rungs away from the most dangerous and can cause significant damage to trees, caravans, and crops, and break boats from their moorings.