BRAVERY AS BLOW BUILDS
BOWEN’S 91- year- old Keith Hill typified the brave face being put on by the town’s residents yesterday as they waited for the impact of Cyclone Debbie.
Mr Hill, who lives in the Wangaratta Beach Caravan Park at Queens Beach, was determined to ride the storm out in his converted bus.
The veteran of “eight, nine or 10” cyclones said he was prepared for whatever Debbie threw at him.
“As I said to my daughter yesterday, if it’s going to kill me I’m meant to ( die) that way,” he said.
Mr Hill said he had plenty of supplies, including bread, butter and milk.
“I’ve got enough tucker,” he said.
“I’m going to do nothing; I can’t do nothing.
“I don’t know if it ( his converted bus) can stand the wind; I’m hoping it does.
“I’ve had to tie down the annex.”
While kitesurfers took to the Bowen foreshore to make the most of the strong gusts that had begun lashing the coastline, others sought shelter at the town’s evacuation centre after being told to leave their homes by emergency services members.
The Allman family, who live on Queens Rd, sought refuge at Bowen’s evacuation centre yesterday afternoon.
Kylie Allman, who was with her husband Chance and their three teenage children, thought it was best to leave their home.
“We’ve taped windows and lifted things higher,” she said.
“The animals are locked high.”
Ms Allman said they had to bring their own food and water to the centre.
“I have experienced a cyclone but nothing like this,” she said.
“We don’t know what expect.
“We can’t do much about it.”
Mr Allman said they were happy to wait out the storm inside the evacuation centre.
“There’s been reports this is to going said.
High school teacher Owen Derrick, who was kitesurfing off Bowen’s coast, said he had lived in the town since 1998 and had experienced three cyclones.
“We always get the bits and pieces,” he said.
“We’ve got house: we’re front.”
Mr Derrick said he was expecting his home to be “smacked” this morning.
“We’re at Queens Beach,” he said.
“I’ve trimmed all the trees: each one is back to one frond and we’ve taken everything inside. We’ve bunkered down.”
Mr Derrick said he knew of people who had left Bowen to escape the severe weather system.
“Some people have gone to Cairns,” he said.
“Another woman has gone to Rockhampton.”
Whitsunday Shire Council Mayor Andrew Willcox said he was impressed by the response of residents.
“Everyone has been co- operative,” he said.
“It’s been a great service from police and the SES.
“I have all the confidence in Bowen residents that they have done the right thing.
“We are in as good a place as we can be.” to flatten Bowen,” he a pretty new right on the
QUEENS BEACH RESIDENT KEITH HILL