Despair and relief in cyclone's wake


new mother doesn't like the name Yasi! A baby was born at a Cairns evacuation centre and two more in Innisfail Hospital amid the chaos and devastation as Cyclone Yasi hammered north Queensland overnight.

Cairns councillor Linda Cooper says Akiko Pruss went into labour at the evacuation centre at Redlynch State College at 2:45am (AEST).

Ms Pruss and husband Christian live in Cairns and the baby girl is their second child.

An English midwife called Carol, who is celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary on holidays in Cairns, delivered the baby, Ms Cooper said.

Ms Pruss went into labour in the first aid room of the college and was supported by her mother, who has travelled from Japan to be with her.

Mr Pruss says he is very excited, but very busy.

The baby will not be called Yasi, Ms Cooper said.

"Akiko doesn't like that name at all," she said.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says two babies were also born at Innisfail Hospital overnight - one at 10.43pm and another at 10.44pm (AEST) - right in the middle of the storm.

"Innisfail, right in the line of fire, so it would have been an anxious time for all of those staff as well," she told channel Seven.

"I understand the mum in the evacuation centre has ruled out calling her baby Yasi, and I suspect the other two mums will do the same.

"I think these will be some of the most sought-after baby photos globally."

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