Tropical low off northeast Australia reaches cyclone strength

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — A tropical low slowly moving toward northeast Australia reached cyclone strength on Wednesday and will bring flooding into Queensland state into the weekend. Tropical Cyclone Kirrily was moving west at 5 mph and forecast to make landfall overnight Thursday. Gusty winds were expected to affect the Whitsunday Islands on Wednesday evening and start hitting the Australian mainland Thursday. Heavy rains that may cause flooding inland were forecast for Queensland state into the weekend.