This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-39409693

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Cyclone Debbie: 'Monster' storm reaches Australian islands Cyclone Debbie: 'Monster' storm reaches Australian islands
(about 2 hours later)
A cyclone carrying winds of up to 250km/h (155 mph) has battered Australian holiday islands as it moves towards the Queensland coast. A cyclone carrying winds of up to 263km/h (163 mph) has battered popular holiday islands as it moves towards the coast of Queensland, Australia.
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in preparation for Cyclone Debbie, a Category four storm. More than 25,000 people were urged to evacuate ahead of Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm now predicted to reach the mainland about 14:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
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. About 23,000 homes have already lost power, and there are reports of damage.
Authorities said it would be the area's worst storm since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.Authorities said it would be the area's worst storm since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.
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 cyclone's "very destructive core" had already reached the Whitsunday Islands.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said the storm was still gathering strength, despite slowing its progress during the night. "We're getting reports of roofs starting to lift, even in some of our own facilities in the Whitsundays," said Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.
Emergency stockpiles of food and fuel have been set aside and the army is on standby to deal with the storm's aftermath. One person in the region compared the winds to "freight trains coming through left and right".
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. "The trees are going wild. The place is just shaking continuously," the man, identified only as Charlie, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Electricity providers said more homes would lose power, and for an unknown period of time.
Test of endurance
Forecasters have twice delayed predictions of when the slow-moving storm will make landfall.
It is now expected to cross the coast somewhere south of Bowen and remain over Queensland for hours.
"We are in for a long, tough day," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
"The intensity and ferocity of the winds is going to be gradually increasing. Everyone is bunkered down."
View from Townsville - Hywel Griffith, BBC NewsView from Townsville - Hywel Griffith, BBC News
What is normally a bustling gateway to the Great Barrier Reef has ground to a halt in preparation. Forecasts suggest Townsville may not be hit directly by the storm's core, but winds have already picked up and no-one is taking chances.What is normally a bustling gateway to the Great Barrier Reef has ground to a halt in preparation. Forecasts suggest Townsville may not be hit directly by the storm's core, but winds have already picked up and no-one is taking chances.
Most businesses have shut up shop - some have sandbags lining the doorway. The few coffee shops that have opened are doing a roaring trade. Lines of police officers and firefighters are getting a heavy dose of caffeine to prepare for the long day and night ahead.Most businesses have shut up shop - some have sandbags lining the doorway. The few coffee shops that have opened are doing a roaring trade. Lines of police officers and firefighters are getting a heavy dose of caffeine to prepare for the long day and night ahead.
Many tourists seem to have moved on, or cancelled their visit completely - one hotelier told me they had lost thousands of dollars in bookings.Many tourists seem to have moved on, or cancelled their visit completely - one hotelier told me they had lost thousands of dollars in bookings.
Even if Townsville is spared the worst of Cyclone Debbie, it is already feeling the impact.Even if Townsville is spared the worst of Cyclone Debbie, it is already feeling the impact.
"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. Ms Palaszczuk described the storm as "a monster" and compared it to Cyclone Yasi, which had devastated towns and flooded evacuation centres.
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. She said Monday's emergency evacuation order was "probably the largest ever" for the north-eastern state.
In other key developments:
Ms Palaszczuk said that shelters had been 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 refused to leave despite warnings that Cyclone Debbie's destructive core could be as wide as 62 miles (100km).
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.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' Some residents refused to leave despite warnings that Cyclone Debbie's destructive core could be as wide as 62 miles (100km).
The Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone could yet "intensify further" as it moves towards the Queensland coast. Queensland authorities have closed 181 schools and 232 early childhood education centres.
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 warned there was still dangerous risk of flooding.
"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.''
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.
All flights have been cancelled at Townsville Airport and Mackay Airport.All flights have been cancelled at Townsville Airport and Mackay Airport.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the weather contributed to the death of a woman in a car crash on Monday.
Cyclones and hurricanes: Different names for same thingCyclones and hurricanes: Different names for same thing
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this? If you are willing to do so, share with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this? If you are willing to do so, share with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below