Australia storm cuts power to 110,000 homes, kills one

Christmas night thunderstorms and strong winds cut power to 110,000 homes in eastern Australia and toppled a tree that killed one woman, officials said Tuesday.

The State Emergency services received more than 120 call-outs and were kept busy with fallen trees and powerlines. The spell of explosive thunderstorms would occur because polar air escaping from Antarctica was expected to drift directly over southeastern states from Sunday to Tuesday.