Prepare for Debbie now, authorities say
AUSTRALIA: Residents in north Queensland are being warned to prepare now as the worst tropical cyclone since Yasi six years ago bears down on the coastline.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects the ‘‘very destructive core’’ of Debbie to cross the coast between Townsville and Proserpine as a category 4 early tomorrow morning.
Winds of up to 260kmh are expected, along with a potential storm surge which could flood areas across the region.
The Bureau’s deputy regional director in Queensland Bruce Gunn says areas far from the storm’s centre will still face category 3 winds and potential flooding.
‘‘Queensland hasn’t seen a coastal crossing for a couple of years now since Marcia or Nathan in 2015 but I think you could probably say that Debbie’s the most significant tropical cyclone since Yasi,’’ Gunn said yesterday.
‘‘Not so much because of it’s intensity ... mostly because of its size and extent. It’s quite a sizable system.’’
More than 1000 emergency services personnel have already been sent to the region.
Authorities are however urging people in the area to prepare now and be prepared to evacuate if ordered to.
‘‘Tomorrow will be too late,’’ State Disaster Coordinator Michael Gollschewski said.
‘‘Just because they may be some way away from that area that doesn’t mean you may not be impacted.
‘‘People need to be aware of what will be happening in their area.’’
Palaszczuk said she had ordered the closure of schools between Ayr and Prosperpine from today.
Yasi, a category 5 cyclone, caused A$800 million in property damage when it tore across north Queensland in February 2011 with structures in Townsville, Innisfail, Tully, Cardwell and the Dunk Island resort affected.
One man also died after asphyxiated from carbon monoxide issuing from a faulty generator at a house in Ingham.
Debbie intensified to a category 2 late on Saturday night in the Coral Sea as it continues its path south, southwest.
Forecasters expect the storm to intensify to a category 4 but there are concerns it may reach a category 5 - the highest level.
Hundreds of power workers are on standby across the region and local hospitals are prepared for the days ahead. In the Whitsunday Islands gateway town of Airlie Beach preparations are low-key, with several holiday makers preparing to ride out the storm or even continue their travels across the region. - AP