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| Ex-Cyclone Debbie forces mass closure of Queensland schools | Ex-Cyclone Debbie forces mass closure of Queensland schools |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| All schools in south-east Queensland have been closed amid fears of flash-flooding caused by ex-Cyclone Debbie. | All schools in south-east Queensland have been closed amid fears of flash-flooding caused by ex-Cyclone Debbie. |
| The storm has entered the state's most populous region after pummelling the north-east coast for two days. | The storm has entered the state's most populous region after pummelling the north-east coast for two days. |
| Although no longer a cyclone, the storm is expected to lash the state capital Brisbane with 200mm of rain on Thursday - more than its monthly average. | Although no longer a cyclone, the storm is expected to lash the state capital Brisbane with 200mm of rain on Thursday - more than its monthly average. |
| Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad urged businesses to shut and said most public servants would be sent home. | Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad urged businesses to shut and said most public servants would be sent home. |
| Every school in an almost 600km (370 miles) area stretching from Agnes Water to Coolangatta would be closed, she said. | Every school in an almost 600km (370 miles) area stretching from Agnes Water to Coolangatta would be closed, she said. |
| Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the "unprecedented late call" was made after some children were already at school. | Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the "unprecedented late call" was made after some children were already at school. |
| "We can't afford to have inexperienced young kids walking home from school at a time where there could be flash-flooding," he said. | "We can't afford to have inexperienced young kids walking home from school at a time where there could be flash-flooding," he said. |
| The closures hit at least 1,049 schools and 937 childcare centres, according to a government website. | |
| Conditions were expected to be "pretty horrendous" on Thursday, said Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll. | Conditions were expected to be "pretty horrendous" on Thursday, said Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll. |
| Authorities warned that flooding could also force the suspension of public transport. | Authorities warned that flooding could also force the suspension of public transport. |
| Surveying the damage | Surveying the damage |
| Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said nature was "flinging her worst" at Australians. | Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said nature was "flinging her worst" at Australians. |
| "It is going to take some time to recover, and that's why we are here to show our support and commitment," he said from Bowen, a damaged town in northern Queensland. | |
| Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said parts of south-east Queensland could see up to 400mm of rain on Thursday. | Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said parts of south-east Queensland could see up to 400mm of rain on Thursday. |
| "What we know is that we are anticipating the heavy falls in a short duration of time," senior forecaster Matthew Bass said. | "What we know is that we are anticipating the heavy falls in a short duration of time," senior forecaster Matthew Bass said. |
| Cyclone Debbie made landfall in north-east Queensland as a category four system on Tuesday. | Cyclone Debbie made landfall in north-east Queensland as a category four system on Tuesday. |
| Authorities said 61,000 homes remained without power, and there was major damage to buildings, sugar cane and tomato crops. | Authorities said 61,000 homes remained without power, and there was major damage to buildings, sugar cane and tomato crops. |
| The cyclone is also likely to have damaged the Great Barrier Reef, marine experts warned. | The cyclone is also likely to have damaged the Great Barrier Reef, marine experts warned. |
| More than 50 people were being rescued from cars trapped in floodwaters on Thursday, authorities said. |