DEBBIE’S FURY BATTERS NORTH

CYCLONE Debbie has caused widespread damage after the ferocious weather system tore roofs from houses, knocked down trees, broke boats from their moorings and sent debris flying.

The damage bill is unknown but communities in the cyclone’s path are expected to wake to widespread structural damage this morning as the clean- up begins.

The cyclone crossed the coast as a Category 4 system with the eye passing over Airlie Beach about 1pm yesterday.

A man suffered serious injuries in Proserpine when a wall collapsed and authorities are warning there could be deaths with the effects of the cyclone likely to last up to five days.

Residents from Ayr to Mackay sought shelter as high winds, including a 262km/ h gust on Hamilton Island, were unleashed and heavy rain caused flash flooding.

Last night 58,042 people were without power and a 900- man crew were on stand- by to begin restoration efforts.

Whitsunday Regional Council mayor Andrew Willcox said Cyclone Debbie had been “relentless“and most people were still in lockdown last night.

“Because it’s been going on for so long now the wind was starting to blow everything over,” he said.

“We’ve got heaps of trees fallen over, powerlines down, signs damaged and I've personally had a roller door that’s been blow in.

“In Proserpine we’ve lost roofs and in Airlie Beach 30 boats have washed up on the shore. Some of the roads have been cut, creeks have broken their banks and most people have got no power.”

The tourist hotspot of Hamilton Island was battered by severe gusts as the eye passed over about 10.30am yesterday. In Airlie Beach, trees bent in the wind, the driving, horizontal rain was relentless and by dusk the coastal town had been battered by 24 hours of cyclonic conditions.

Powerlines were down, trees in the main street were uprooted and shopfronts were damaged.

It was a similar story in Bowen, with winds snapping tree trunks in half and 280mm of rain dumped within 24 hours.

Residents in Mackay were last night sleeping in shelters, or seeking a safe haven with friends after 25,000 people were ordered to evacuate.

More than 200ml of rain fell and 8m waves crashed over the marina break wall.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Dean Narramore said Debbie was expected to become a tropical low this morning.

“At this stage we expect it to weaken below cyclone status and turn into a tropical low some time ( this) morning,” Mr Narramore said.

“There’s a pretty good chance by tomorrow morning it will be below cyclone strength. “

Mr Narramore said the BOM expected widespread heavy rainfall to continue through much of the eastern inland today and Townsville can expect showers and gusty westerly winds.

“We should see the showers and windy conditions continue tonight and tomorrow.”

Mr Narramore said the cyclone would not intensify or change track once it was inland.

“Luckily it won’t intensify because it’s overland and luckily from a forecasting stand point all the models have a good consensus now of it tracking toward the southwest near Collinsville down towards Mount Coolon by tomorrow morning.”

From there the cyclone will take a more south, southwesterly track from late tomorrow.