PERTH, Australia (AP) - Packing wind gusts of up to 185 mph, the most powerful cyclone ever recorded in Australia lashed the northwestern coast Wednesday, damaging homes, forcing evacuations and ripping up trees. Cyclone John moved over land near Whim Creek early Wednesday morning, bringing driving rains and powerful gusts that caused power outages and drove hundreds of people from their homes. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Brian Bowase said it was the strongest strong to hit Australia since the government began keeping records. Bowase said he still did not have an accurate reading on the sustained wind speed of the cyclone, a term used for a hurricane in Australia. Telephone service was knocked out in Whim Creek, 750 miles north of the Western Australia state capital, Perth.