Ayr locals breathe huge sigh of relief

THE Ayr Hotel was packed with relieved locals late yesterday, happy they dodged a bullet from Cyclone Debbie, which wreaked havoc on neighbours to their south.

Beer in hand, Ayr local Don Olsen, 82, has lived through a number of cyclones and said he was glad he didn’t have to experience another one just yet.

“I have been in a few savage cyclones in my time and I’m pretty happy I didn’t have to go through another one, especially seeing what’s happened down south,” Mr Olsen said.

“Thankfully, nothing really happened here.”

Len Nuttall said although there were initial concerns about Ayr being hit the hardest, he was glad it turned out to be nothing.

“There was a lot of buildup and a lot of preparations put in place, everyone thought it was going to hit here,” Mr Nuttall said.

“We never really got anything … nowhere near as bad as what we have had.

“There was no rain, nothing, hardly any strong winds or gales … it’s a relief.”

Acting Chief Superintendent Kev Guteridge said local police and other emergency services would head south in the coming days to help colleagues.

“Ten officers will be going to Bowen and 12 to Proserpine, which is part of our initial deployment and from there they will ascertain what other assistance is needed,” Supt Guteridge said.