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Cyclone Ita's destructive winds to hit north Queensland coast Evacuations begin as Cyclone Ita bears down on Queensland coast
(about 2 hours later)
Gales up to 240km/h are expected to lash far north Queensland when the strongest cyclone since Yasi crosses the coast on Friday. Evacuations have begun and Queensland's premier is returning from overseas as the strongest cyclone since Yasi in 2011 moves in on the state's far north.
Cyclone Ita is due to intensify into a category four storm early on Thursday morning and cross the coast north of Cooktown on Friday night. Cyclone Ita is due to intensify into a category four storm early on Thursday morning and cross the coast north of Cooktown on Friday night bringing gales of up to 240km/h.
It poses a significant threat to sparse communities between Cape Grenville and the Lockhart river, with strong gusts, storm surges and heavy rain beginning on Thursday.It poses a significant threat to sparse communities between Cape Grenville and the Lockhart river, with strong gusts, storm surges and heavy rain beginning on Thursday.
The storm comes three years after category five Yasi ripped through Queensland, causing $3.5bn worth of damage and lost tourism earnings.The storm comes three years after category five Yasi ripped through Queensland, causing $3.5bn worth of damage and lost tourism earnings.
Yasi unleashed its wrath about 1,000km south of where Ita is forecast to cross.Yasi unleashed its wrath about 1,000km south of where Ita is forecast to cross.
"The winds won't be as strong as Yasi, but it will be the worst we've had since," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Andrew Cameron said."The winds won't be as strong as Yasi, but it will be the worst we've had since," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Andrew Cameron said.
All staff and guests have been evacuated off Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef as a precaution. The last time the resort was evacuated was during Yasi, although the island wasn't affected.
Premier Campbell Newman has also cut short his Asian trade mission with prime minister Tony Abbott and will fly home on Thursday to oversee preparations for Ita.
Those in the small Cape York communities likely to be affected spent Wednesday stocking up on supplies and clearing yards.
Peter Scott, mayor of Cookshire council, which covers 80% of Cape York, says Ita could be one of the worst storms to hit the area in decades.Peter Scott, mayor of Cookshire council, which covers 80% of Cape York, says Ita could be one of the worst storms to hit the area in decades.
"Residents need to be ready and have somewhere safe to shelter," he said."Residents need to be ready and have somewhere safe to shelter," he said.
He said there was a good supply of food and fuel.He said there was a good supply of food and fuel.
Residents of Lockhart river on eastern Cape York were stocking up on food and clearing their yards in preparation for the storm.Residents of Lockhart river on eastern Cape York were stocking up on food and clearing their yards in preparation for the storm.
"People are pretty calm but the wind is picking up," local woman Lisa, who declined to give her last name, said."People are pretty calm but the wind is picking up," local woman Lisa, who declined to give her last name, said.
Meanwhile, local district disaster management groups are holding meetings across the state's far north on Wednesday.Meanwhile, local district disaster management groups are holding meetings across the state's far north on Wednesday.
Far north district acting chief superintendent Brett Schafferius says there are no plans for evacuations but extra police will be sent to affected areas.Far north district acting chief superintendent Brett Schafferius says there are no plans for evacuations but extra police will be sent to affected areas.
Staff from Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ), including a swift water rescue team, will head to Cooktown on Thursday.Staff from Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ), including a swift water rescue team, will head to Cooktown on Thursday.
Road and electricity resources have also been sent to the state's north.Road and electricity resources have also been sent to the state's north.
Before forming into cyclone Ita, the tropical depression led to 21 deaths in Solomon Islands last week.Before forming into cyclone Ita, the tropical depression led to 21 deaths in Solomon Islands last week.