THE SITUATION WITH CYCLONE DEBBIE
Where is it?
At 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday, the Bureau of Meteorology indicated Debbie was 20km west of Proserpine having made landfall near Airlie Beach around midday. The cyclone's destructive core has been been buffeting the area since Tuesday morning with strong winds and heavy rain.
Where's it heading?
Debbie is moving at about 9 km/h southwest through the Whitsunday region, moving past Proserpine towards Collinsville
What's its status?
Debbie is a category 3 storm with sustained winds near the centre of 135 km/h with wind gusts to 185 km/h.
What are the dangers?
The cyclone could bring wind gusts potentially up to 180 km/h near the centre for the next hour or so before weakening. Residents between Ayr and St Lawrence are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. Flash flooding is also likely in areas with heavy rainfall, which is expected all the way down to the border.
What's the advice?
Stay put, stay calm and wait for the all-clear. People in the path of Debbie should remain in a secure shelter - above the expected water level - while the very destructive winds continue. Emergency services won't be able to respond till the all-clear has been given.
Ensure there is plenty of protection around them, mattresses, rugs, pillows, and keep phone, radio, and torches close.
What are emergency services doing?
About 2000 extra staff from a variety of agencies have been sent to the area. About 600 hospital beds are available in the region. More than 800 staff from Energy Queensland are ready to help restore lost power. The army are poised to help with the recovery.
What has been affected?
A man, aged about 60, has been taken to Proserpine Hospital in a serious condition after a wall fell on him in Proserpine. More than 48,000 households are without power and 400 schools and child care centres are closed. Locals are already reporting damage to roofs and some buildings while fallen trees and power lines are proving hazardous. One farmer in Proserpine has reported her machinery shed and two others housing animals have been destroyed.The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the storm a "catastrophe".
