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Cyclone Debbie: Thousands flee as Australia braced for 'monster' storm Cyclone Debbie: 'Monster' storm reaches Australian islands
(about 1 hour later)
Northeast Australia is bracing itself for the arrival of a "monster" cyclone expected to bring waves of up to 8m (26ft) to the Queensland coast. A cyclone carrying winds of up to 250km/h (155 mph) has battered Australian holiday islands as it moves towards the Queensland coast.
Cyclone Debbie, which has been upgraded to a Category four storm, is carrying winds of up to 250km/h (155 mph). Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in preparation for Cyclone Debbie, a Category four storm.
Thousands of people have already been evacuated and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has urged residents to act immediately. Its destructive eye has already hit the Whitsunday islands and is expected to reach the mainland by 12:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
The storm is expected to reach the coast of Queensland on Tuesday. Authorities said it would be the area's worst storm since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.
"If you have received an official evacuation order, you and your family must leave home immediately," Mr Turnbull said, adding that people should seek shelter "on higher ground". Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier urged residents to "leave home immediately", adding that people should seek shelter "on higher ground".
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said the storm was still gathering strength, despite slowing its progress during the night.
Emergency stockpiles of food and fuel have been set aside and the army is on standby to deal with the storm's aftermath.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the emergency evacuation order was "probably the largest ever" for the northeastern state, and warned people to charge their phones as structural damage and power outages were likely.Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the emergency evacuation order was "probably the largest ever" for the northeastern state, and warned people to charge their phones as structural damage and power outages were likely.
"This is going to be a monster of a cyclone," Ms Palaszczuk said, adding that it would rival the devastating Cyclone Yasi in 2011. "This is going to be a monster of a cyclone," Ms Palaszczuk said, comparing it to Cyclone Yasi, which had devastated towns and flooded evacuation centres.
About 10,000 people are believed to have already left their homes in the town of Mackay, and thousands more have evacuated their properties in low lying areas such as Bowen and Ayr. Thousands of people are believed to have left their homes in Mackay, and many more have evacuated their properties in low-lying areas such as Bowen and Ayr.
Ms Palaszczuk said that shelters were being made available on higher ground for those with nowhere else to go. Ms Palaszczuk said that shelters had been made available on higher ground for those with nowhere else to go.
Some residents have refused to leave despite warnings that Cyclone Debbie's destructive core could be as wide as 62 miles (100km). Some residents refused to leave despite warnings that Cyclone Debbie's destructive core could be as wide as 62 miles (100km).
More than 2,000 emergency services workers are on standby in the state but people have been warned crews will only respond when it is safe for them to do so. More than 2,000 emergency workers are also on standby, but people have been warned crews will only respond when it is safe to do so.
'About your safety''About your safety'
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone could "intensify further" as it moves towards the Queensland coast. The Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone could yet "intensify further" as it moves towards the Queensland coast.
It is expected to make landfall near Bowen sometime after 12:00 local time (02:00 GMT). Forecasters had feared the cyclone would coincide with high tide, bringing waves of up to 8m (26ft), but the storm is now predicted to arrive later.
Authorities earlier warned that the cyclone could coincide with high tide, which is expected to peak at 3.2m. The storm surge could add an additional 4m, Ms Palaszczuk said. Authorities warned there was still dangerous risk of flooding.
She said this would bring a dangerous risk of flooding, especially around Mackay. "I am just pleading to everyone, please, listen to authorities," Ms Palaszczuk. "I do, you must as well. This is about your safety, it is about the safety of your family and the safety of your children.''
"I am just pleading to everyone, please, listen to authorities," she said. "I do, you must as well. This is about your safety, it is about the safety of your family and the safety of your children.''
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the weather contributed to the death of a woman in a car crash.Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the weather contributed to the death of a woman in a car crash.
Queensland authorities have closed 102 schools, 81 early childhood education centres and two ports.Queensland authorities have closed 102 schools, 81 early childhood education centres and two ports.
All flights have been cancelled at Townsville Airport and Mackay Airport.All flights have been cancelled at Townsville Airport and Mackay Airport.
Mr Stewart warned that emergency crews would not provide help during the storm's peak.
"[It] will get to an extent where all emergency services will not be able to respond to calls for assistance, because obviously, we have got to maintain the safety of our staff," he said.
Cyclones and hurricanes: Different names for same thingCyclones and hurricanes: Different names for same thing
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