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 5 Version 6
Cyclone Debbie: 'Monster' storm reaches Australian islands Cyclone Debbie: 'Monster' storm hits Australian coast
(about 1 hour later)
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. A powerful cyclone carrying winds of up to 263km/h (163 mph) has reached the coast of Queensland, Australia.
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. More than 25,000 people were urged to evacuate ahead of Cyclone Debbie.
About 23,000 homes have already lost power, and there are reports of damage. The category four storm has already left at least 23,000 homes without power and caused damage on the popular Whitsunday Islands.
Authorities said it would be the area's worst storm since Cyclone Yasi in 2011. The slow-moving cyclone, expected to be Queensland's most damaging since 2011, is likely to remain over the state for hours, authorities warned.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone's "very destructive core" had already reached the Whitsunday Islands. The storm made landfall between Bowen and Airlie Beach, Queensland Police said.
"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."
Electricity providers said more homes would lose power.
"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."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.
One person in the region compared the winds to "freight trains coming through left and right".One person in the region compared the winds to "freight trains coming through left and right".
"The trees are going wild. The place is just shaking continuously," the man, identified only as Charlie, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp."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.
Test of endurance
Forecasters had twice delayed predictions of when the cyclone would make landfall.
Ms Palaszczuk described the storm as "a monster" and compared 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.
She said Monday's emergency evacuation order was "probably the largest ever" for the north-eastern state.She said Monday's emergency evacuation order was "probably the largest ever" for the north-eastern state.
In other key developments: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.
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.
Some residents 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).
Queensland authorities have closed 181 schools and 232 early childhood education centres.Queensland authorities have closed 181 schools and 232 early childhood education centres.
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.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