“CATASTROPHIC” tropical cyclone Debbie has been downgraded to a tropical low as it weakens while moving southwest — but Queenslanders have been warned not to be complacent.

The storm is travelling at just six kilometres an hour with the slow speed partly responsible for the extent of the destruction.

Despite the downgrade, those in the cyclone’s path report extreme wind gusts with broken glass, roofs torn to shreds and boats tossed around like toys.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a sever weather warning remained in place and “the situation remains very hazardous”.

#CycloneDebbie is now a tropical low, though the situation remains very hazardous. Severe Weather Warning: https://t.co/MyZfmJPj3g pic.twitter.com/FdRYfpOOrR — BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 28, 2017

Emergency services have been hampered in their response efforts with leaders suggesting the full extent of the damage won’t be known until morning.

Up to 50,000 homes and businesses remain without power. People in the region are advised to stay calm and wait for the all-clear in a secure shelter.

CYCLONE DEBBIE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Cyclone made landfall at Airlie Beach at 12.15pm Tuesday

• Winds up to 230km/hour smashed coast before it was downgraded to Category 1

• Predicted to move south west over next 12-18 hours

• Residents advised to stay inside

• ‘Idiot’ slammed for attempting to surf

• One German woman has died and at least one person injured

• Eyewitness: Riding out Debbie has been terrifying

FOLLOW OUR LIVE UPDATES BELOW:

11pm

Thanks for following our live coverage of Cyclone Debbie.

Check news.com.au for the latest updates.

10:20pm

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has slammed the “appalling” behaviour of some Queenslanders for driving and surfing during the storm.

“I cannot believe this sort of behaviour. We heard from the police commissioner not to do those sorts of things, to stay off the roads and stay in your home,” Annastacia Palaszczuk told ABC News.

“To go out there into the treacherous surf is simply irresponsible. Honestly, why do you want to put your own life at risk and put the lives of others at risk?

“If you are out there putting your life at risk and something happens, there will be somebody who wants to do something to save you.

Qld Premier @AnnastaciaMP advises people stay indoors tonight, don't leave home, until authorities know extent of damage #CycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/O63bD82lSG — ABC News (@abcnews) March 28, 2017

9:48pm

Videos of howling winds and lashing rain have dominated social media as people bunker down for the second half of the storm.

Instagram user Arlo posted a video of wind whipping through Airlie Beach where a clothesline can be seen spinning below.

The cyclone has now been downgraded to a Category two.

9:40pm

The BOM said warning zones remain from Ayr to St Lawrence, including Mackay, and the Whitsunday Islands, extending inland to Charters Towers, Mount Coolon, and Moranbah.

Inland areas near Pentland have had warnings cancelled.

The category two system still has winds of up to 110km per hour with gusts of 155 kilometres.

It's moving west southwest at a rate of six kilometres per hour.

“Although the peak winds near the centre will weaken rapidly tonight, heavy rainfall is expected to continue across the region for the next 12 to 24 hours, gradually contracting southward with the system,” the BOM said.

9:29pm

A light plane has flipped near Bowen as more pictures emerge of the havoc Cyclone Debbie has wreaked on Far North Queensland.

9:10pm

Cyclone Debbie has now been downgraded to a Category two storm but locals report being terrified while trapped inside with raging winds and no electricity.

#CycloneDebbie is now category 2 system tracking towards #Collinsville. 313mm at Clarke Range in the 6 hours to 8pm. https://t.co/YTkwbdYNGp pic.twitter.com/mqJ0AF4zrM — BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 28, 2017

“Over the course of a few hours the winds had increased to such an intensity it made sleeping for more than 30 minutes at a time near impossible,” Shae McDonald wrote for the Australian Associated Press.

“Even though it was nothing compared to what was to come, not being able to see what was happening made the sounds all the more scary.”

Read her eyewitness account of Cyclone Debbie here.

9pm

News.com.au reporter at Airlie Beach, Emma Reynolds, said the cyclone feels stronger than ever despite warnings it would weaken on Tuesday evening.

“It is pitch black outside and really eerie with the wind whistling and booming around us and rain battering the windows,” she said.

“The cyclone was supposed to be moving over us and weakening this evening but it’s still blowing a gale, too much for anyone to venture outside now. Tiles are still smashing down from the roof, the pool doors are broken and there’s water everywhere.”

She said it's quite “disconcerting in the dark” and very worrying for people who are staying closer to the beach.

“There was quite a mood of camaraderie earlier but everyone has battened down the hatches and gone indoors, we are just hoping it has eased by morning, or even midday as some are predicting, so we can get power, supplies and just get outside again - in many cases to assess the damage.”

8:47pm

The extent of damage to resorts is becoming apparent with dramatic pictures showing roofs torn to shreds and jettys thrown around.

Daydream Island resort said two of its three iconic mermaid statues have been swept away in the storm.

“Conditions were extreme with heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts causing damage to the resort and surrounds,” the resort said in a statement. They're still assessing the full extent of the damage but said a roof has been lifted with a boardwalk section also destroyed.

There is also damage to the main atrium and accommodation wings, as well as vegetation across the resort.

Not even mermaids were safe from #TCDebbie Daydream Island resort says 2 of the 3 "iconic" statues were swept away. #cycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/B2uqdxVroL — ABC Tropical North (@ABCTropical) March 28, 2017

8:32pm

Residents in Bowen, Airlie Beach and Proserpine have been warned the first response to devastating Cyclone Debbie may not come until Wednesday morning due to dangerous conditions.

Northern region SES manager Dale Camp said strong winds will continue overnight with poor light making it too dangerous to venture out.

“We have to wait for that wind to die down before we move around, and if it’s at night time it makes it very difficult to see things like floodwaters, so they’ll probably be waiting until first light tomorrow,” he told the Cairns Post.

Whitsundays councillor John Collins said Cyclone Debbie was one of the slowest moving he had experienced which had made it particularly bad

“I’ve been through a few cyclones that are quick and nasty but this one is going to go all day,” he told AAP.

“It’s a long wait, sitting here waiting while it tears everything up. “This is going to be a terrible disaster when it is all over and done with.”

8:20pm

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said he’s hoping there are no fatal injuries from the storm as 50,000 prepare to spend the night without power.

“Tomorrow we’ll see lots of structural damage. I’m just hoping we don’t see loss of life,” he said.

Earlier, Joe Hanna trapped on Hayman Island has tweeted video showing the eerily calm eye of the storm as the Whitsunday region braces for the second half of the cyclone.

8:11pm

News.com.au reporter Emma Reynolds, in Airlie Beach, said the “cyclone is the worst it’s been yet for us” with those their bracing for the second half of the storm.

“The windows are bulging in their frames, there are chair cushions scattered over the ground outside and the rain is driving at the window too hard to open the door to the balcony.

“It feels like it could blow you away. We can hear crashing from another apartment. The room is so stuffy and hot because we have no air conditioning and can’t open any windows right now,” she said.

Ear popping. Water and dirt leaking in under the rattling windows of our cat 5 cyclone proof hotel @newscomauHQ #TCDebbie #CycloneDebbie — Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) March 28, 2017

Roof tiles coming off now and smashing into the ground narrowly avoiding an ambulance, trees uprooted #airliebeach #TCdebbie — Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) March 28, 2017

“We’ve even been advised to keep the curtains closed in case the windows shatter.

Our hotel manager has given us torches as we’ll be in lockdown and without power for at least tonight. He went out on patrol in the storm and says it doesn’t seem like there’s too much structural damage, although the worst is expected now the eye has passed over us.”

She said some people have ignored warnings, with two teenagers seen skateboarding in the car park amid fierce wind and rain.

8:05pm

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said a clear picture of the storm damage won’t be known until first light, when teams will do a full assessment of the damage.

“We had the preliminary reports around Proserpine. There’s some structural damage to houses at the moment. Let’s not forget some of these houses were built before 1955. And they’ve been battered by this cyclone,” she told ABC’s 7:30.

“Everyone is going to be in shock tomorrow, just to see the full impact of this cyclone. I’m bracing myself for it.”

7:42pm

New pictures show the extent of the damage Cyclone Debbie has brought to Airlie Beach and other parts of Queensland, as the slow moving storm tracks south west.

7:25pm

The BOM’s latest update shows Cyclone Debbie is moving inland and is expected to weaken throughout the evening.

Earlier, a man aged about 60 was taken to hospital in Proserpine in a serious condition after a wall fell on him.

Severe Tropical #CycloneDebbie continues to move slowly inland, expected to weaken throughout the evening. https://t.co/FBmpsInT9o pic.twitter.com/gdZwOl0I0m — BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 28, 2017

Yesterday, a German tourist died in a car crash in Cannon Valley in an accident in which weather was cited as a factor.

The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the storm a “catastrophe” and 48,000 homes are without power.

Meanwhile, a separate fire has broken out at the iconic XXXX brewery in inner Brisbane.

Firefighters were greeted with billowing smoke at the Milton brewery after a fire alarm went off around 5pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Crews on the scene are trying to enter the building.

7:02pm

An incredible timelapse video taken by a Brazilian exchange student living on Hayman Island shows the storm rolling in from the sea in a terrifying sequence.

“The “calm” before the storm. This time-lapse was taken yesterday afternoon on Hayman Island before Cyclone ‘Debbie Downer’ hit us,” Heiðrún Arnarsdóttir wrote online.

“We’re in the eye of the storm and halfway through. Everyone is safe.”

Another picture posted online shows backpackers waiting out the storm in Ayr.

Pilia Peralta said the group could not evacuate because there were no buses available so they are waiting out the storm in a cyclone proof room.

“Trying to overcome the long and stressful hours of waiting by getting distracted by playing a quiz game,” she said.

7pm

Earlier today Nine News reporter Tessa Hardy said power was cut off at approximately noon in Bowen, where many of the 10,000 residents live in homes built before 1985. Older homes aren’t as strong as ones built in later years — and the town’s cyclone shelter can’t take any more people as it has capacity of only 800.

“It is so loud, it’s like a whip being cracked, especially with the strong gusts of wind. It’s so deafening,” Ms Hardy said.

She said she saw “huge sheets of corrugated iron” flying down the street, describing it as a “missile”.

She said the scene reminded her of a “ghost town” and that “trees are going every which way. Here it is very noisy, the rain just keeps going.”

She said it was a “pretty spectacular” sight to behold.

It comes as authorities say up to 50,000 homes will be without power and the number is expected to grow exponentially in coming hours.

Roofs have been ripped from buildings and flying debris is causing damage as the eye wall of the cyclone — described by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as “equivalent to a one in 100 year event” — impacts the Whitsunday Islands and nearby coastal towns.

The high-level category four system is not expected to weaken to a tropical low until midday on Wednesday.

Latest #CycloneDebbie track map has been issued, maintaining Cat 3 intensity. See warnings at https://t.co/FBmpsInT9o. pic.twitter.com/QIBfCzvxWX — BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 28, 2017

We'll continue to see the impact of Cyclone Debbie for the next 3 - 5 days: @AnnastaciaMP #CycloneDebbie — QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 28, 2017

6.45pm

The battered cockatoo stripped of its feathers and cowering among branches trying to ride the cyclone out, whose picture went viral, is alive and being cared for by Townsville Bulletin photographer Alix Sweeney until wildlife carers can check it out.

Battered and broken, a cockatoo stands amongst the snapped branches in Airlie during Cyclone Debbie. Picture: Alix Sweeney pic.twitter.com/4Ex3T5t0a3 — news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) March 28, 2017

6.35pm

There are fears the heart of Australia’s $2 billion sugar industry may have been ripped out by Cyclone Debbie, which hit the middle of Queensland canegrowing country.

Canegrowers chief executive Dan Galligan confirmed a lot of the crop had been flattened but farmers were yet to determine if they have been snapped.

“It will take another 48 hours to see if it’s retrievable,” he said.

It’s hoped the sugar industry won’t suffer the same fate as the banana industry following 2006’s Cyclone Larry, which destroyed banana crops around Innisfail and Tully worth up to $350 million, causing a national shortage.

6.20pm

Hamilton Island, which was smashed by the cyclone, has had no reports of injury. Management says its Sydney contact centre number of +61 (0) 2 9007 001 is available for those worried about relatives and friends on the island.

6.10pm

Queensland’s tourism chief fears images of Cyclone Debbie’s destruction will lead to a significant drop-off in tourists visiting the entire state. Daniel Gschwind warned there’s a strong chance travellers will cancel their bookings, not only to the cyclone-ravaged north, but across the state. “When the images of disasters, strong winds, uprooted trees go around the world and around Australia, some people incorrectly assume that all of Queensland is shut, ”he told AAP.

5:25pm

In cyclone affected areas and need to know when to expect school to reopen? Check the Queensland Government’s Department of Education website here for details.

5:20pm

Authorities are warning there could be deaths as the impact of Cyclone Debbie is likely to last up to five days, the Courier Mail reports.

“Sadly, I think that we will get more reports of injuries, if not deaths,” Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said.

5:15pm

The worst might be over, but the damage is done.

4:50pm

Schools across Towsville are expected to re-open tomorrow, with Cyclone Debbie crossing the coast. @ABCnorthqld https://t.co/vnMZMVzNMA — David Chen (@dchen21) March 28, 2017

4:30pm

Airlie Beach residents describe they needed some “liquid confidence” as they watched violent scenes unfold as winds crept up to 250km/h. “We saw the fence just go.”

Cyclone Debbie: 'Roofs across the road have been peeling off': Airlie Beach locals. #TCDebbie #7News https://t.co/ETbnoQhtSM — 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) March 28, 2017

4:15pm

The BOM have downgraded Cyclone Debbie to a Category 3 storm, as it travels toward the mainland coast between Bowen and Airlie Beach. But wind gusts continue to blow at high speeds, reaching 220km/h.

Find out more at the BOM’s website.

4:05pm

As authorities appealed for people to stay indoors away from the fury of Cyclone Debbie, this man wanted to go surfing in the eye of it.

The man, who wandered into the background of a live cross as Channel Nine reported from Airlie Beach, stood buffeted by wind with a boogie board under his arm contemplating the wild waves.

“Oh my God, there’s someone with a boogie board going out in the ocean it would seem, so that’s obviously not a good idea at all,” said reporter Jessica Millward.

Daredevils take on dangerous surf during Cyclone Debbie Daredevils take on dangerous surf during Cyclone Debbie

4:00pm

Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart confirms one man has been “badly hurt” by a collapsed wall in Proserpine.

Cyclone Debbie: Man badly injured by collapsing wall in Proserpine has been taken to hospital. #TCDebbie #7News https://t.co/SBVaZ59m8p — 7 News Cairns (@7NewsCairns) March 28, 2017

3:55pm

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared Cyclone Debbie “a catastrophe”.

Insurers are already taking calls from policyholders, and many have teams standing by to enter the impact zone, assess claims and deliver assistance to their customers,” ICA CEO Rob Whelan said.

“Insurers are prioritising claims from this disaster, and using a triage system to get assistance to those policyholders in most urgent need of assistance first.”

3:50pm

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has pleaded with residents to stay inside as the eye of Cyclone Debbie passes through the state.

“Once this eye is passing over people will feel the opportunity to go out and have a look and they should not do that. They need to remain in place,” she said at a press conference this afternoon.

“This is a dangerous cyclone. People must stay indoors. Please do not go outside.”

3:45pm

50000 people without power now in the Cyclone Debbie zone. Rolling coverage on @Channel7 now. #TCDebbie #7News pic.twitter.com/HcysEF8yBJ — 7 News Cairns (@7NewsCairns) March 28, 2017

3:35pm

Gary, a resident of Collinsville, in the Whitsunday Region, told ABC Emergency that despite his almost 50-years in the region, Cyclone Debbie is “the worst one I’ve been through.”

"I've been here since 1968 and it's the worst one I've been through." Gary in Collinsville. #CycloneDebbie https://t.co/rZJ4Gscrw5 — ABC Emergency (@ABCemergency) March 28, 2017

3:30pm

Some good news.

Breaking: we’ve just matched grandmother w/ family hit by #TCDebbie; trying to reach them all night; cried with joy register@redcross.org.au — Australian Red Cross (@RedCrossAU) March 28, 2017

3:28pm

The weather is so dangerous, even our radars are at risk.

#Bowen radar has felt the impact of #CycloneDebbie and is currently unavailable. Please refer to Townsville and Mackay radars in lieu. — BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 28, 2017

3:25pm

Whoa.

#Cannonvale just before #CycloneDebbie's eye came over. Please remember to stay inside and stay safe! Conditions can return to this quickly. pic.twitter.com/1CfvDJwstH — ABC Emergency (@ABCemergency) March 28, 2017

The guy who took these photos said it got *worse* later, and he had to take cover in the bathroom https://t.co/jN5jcoa57Q pic.twitter.com/ErlhUf4CBQ — Matt Liddy (@mattliddy) March 28, 2017

3:20pm

#CycloneDebbie is making landfall on mainland coast between #Bowen #AirlieBeach with wind gusts potentially to 230 km/h near the centre. — ABC Emergency (@ABCemergency) March 28, 2017

3:17pm

3:15pm

Stay inside — here’s why

One Twitter user tweeted video out of Bowen, claiming “one side of our motel gone”.

3:12pm

Cracker of an interview

It seems like every reporter on Australian television is in Queensland today to cover Cyclone Debbie. There was this Seven reporter’s interview with one Bowen local, cut short after just one response — you’ll see why:

One chance on TV... its your moment mate, make your family, friends and town proud... 😞😞😱😱 #CycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/G9xeooh6nZ — Chris White (@ytboy7) March 28, 2017

3:10pm

A taste of the damage Debbie has caused

Twitter user Ange Nixon posted this image of a yacht at Eimeo Creek near Mackay.

3:05pm

PM sends in the Army

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced Townsville-based Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Christopher Field AM CSC to lead the recovery efforts following Cyclone Debbie.

“Air force airlift aircraft as well as army and navy helicopters are ready to assist in moving personnel and relief provisions into the affected areas,” he said.

“(Brigadier Field) He is a distinguished military officer, he is the right man to head this recovery effort.

“I note that following the floods of 2011 he was the chief of operations and planning for the Queensland reconstruction authority.”

Mr Turnbull said there were over 1000 people deployed to assist the recovery efforts.

3:00pm

Where is Debbie now?

#CycloneDebbie is continuing to make landfall between Bowen and Airlie Beach with wind gusts potentially to 270 km/h near the centre. #alert — QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 28, 2017

2:55pm

Sea foam rolls onto beach

Waves crashed against the shoreline south of Mackay as Debbie travelled west towards the north Queensland coastline.

At Sarina Beach waves churned and frothed close to the clubhouse amid severe weather lashing major cities that included Townsville, Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands.

A Bureau of Meteorology report showed the outer edge of the cyclone striking Sarina about midday on Tuesday.

2:50PM

‘People can barely stand up’

News.com.au reporter Emma Reynolds was in a hotel about a kilometre away from the beachfront but still in ankle deep in water as the eye wall hit.

“The wind is really ferocious, really intense now,” she said. “It’s roaring like a fighter jet.

“We can’t see the water at all. The sky is completely misted with sheets of rain flying across and branches are being ripped from the trees.

“We’ve heard that the wind is so strong people can barely stand up at the marina.”

2:40PM

Insane footage

Nine News reporter Tessa Hardy captures footage from Bowen’s main street.

2:30PM

An example of Debbie’s strength.