CYCLONE Debbie has come within five kilometres of being declared a Category Five storm as it bears down on the Queensland coast.

The Bureau of Meterology declared the tropical cyclone a “severe” Category Four system on Monday evening with wind gusts up to 250km/h.

However it’s just shy of being declared the most severe Category Five, according to Sky News reports. The “very destructive core” is to cross the coast between Cape Upstart and Cape Hillsborough (north of Mackay) this morning with wind gusts potentially to 275km/h near the centre of the system.

Debbie is expected to remain strong until about 3pm this afternoon when it will reduce to a category three before moving to a tropical low on Wednesday, latest forecasts show.

Monday night is expected to bring a huge storm surge and flooding for low-lying areas and large waves in some places.

CYCLONE DEBBIE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• “Monster” cyclone upgraded to Category 4

• Latest track shows westerly direction

• 31-year-old woman killed in traffic accident

• 25,000 Mackay residents in low lying areas to evacuate

• Tomatoes, capsicum crops could be badly hit

• Locals bunker down for cyclone parties

• Read the latest BOM advice

Mackay Regional Council has published a series of maps on Facebook showing areas where people should “prepare and act” for possible inundation.

“Emergency alerts have been sent via SMS for residents in the green, red and orange zones in Mackay and associated beaches to “prepare and act” for possible inundation Monday night and Tuesday morning. If you are in these areas, be prepared to evacuate if needed,” the council said.

MASS EVACUATION AMID ‘MONSTER’ STORM

An unprecedented mass evacuation is being carried out at the last minute in the Queensland town of Mackay as “monster” Cyclone Debbie gains intensity and threatens to cause widespread destruction in conjunction with a high tide.

QLD premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned Queenslanders to brace themselves: “This is going to be a monster of a cyclone.”

About 25,000 residents in low-lying areas of Mackay were ordered to evacuate their homes immediately amid fears of massive storm surges as a result of the cyclone.

“This is probably the largest evacuation we’ve ever had to do,” Palaszczuk told Ten News.

The message was get out. Now.

“We are asking people that can move out of those low-lying areas that are depicted on the local maps on the council website to move now,” QLD Police commissioner Ian Stewart said he said.

“Don’t wait until tomorrow because you will not be able to move probably past midnight tonight ... assist family members and the vulnerable to move.”

Mr Stewart said there were grave concerns for the coastal town because it is a “low-lying” area that is likely to be affected by a 0.8-2.5m storm surge, caused by a dangerous combination of a category 4 cyclone and high tide.

Mackay has a total population of more than 100,000 people. Evacuations are now underway with authorities instructing remaining residents to check the council website to find out if their homes fall into an evacuation zone.

“This is a very big call on our community,” Mr Stewart said.

“We’ve certainly moved a whole town before but nothing of this magnitude.

“This is right across Mackay because of the unique landscape and low-lying areas.”

Mr Stewart said police were asking people “in safer areas to open their houses and hearts to their friends”.

“We don’t want to see any tragedies as a result of this storm,” he said.

QLD Premier Annastacia said it was “very clear the time to move is now”.

“This is a severe weather system,” she said.

CYCLONE CHANGES PATH TOWARDS BOWEN

Ms Palaszczuk said the residents of Bowen will “feel a big impact from this cyclone”.

The heavily populated QLD town is now in the direct firing line of Cyclone Debbie as the severe system intensifies to a category 3 and tracks further south.

The cyclone was located approximately 200 kilometres east northeast of Bowen and 205 kilometres north northeast of Mackay around 6pm AEST today, according to the weather bureau, and was moving at about six kilometres an hour with winds of about 155kph near the centre, and gusts to 220kph.

It was originally expected to hit as a category 4 system in a sparsely populated area between the two towns around 9am tomorrow but is now tracking directly towards Bowen.

Debbie is expected to gain more momentum and develop into a “destructive” category 4 around 1am before it makes landfall at speeds of up to 280kph.

The eye is expected to cross directly over the seaside town of Bowen, which has a population of more than 10,000 people. Several older homes in Bowen are built on stilts and not to withstand cyclonic conditions.

Meteorologist Dean Narramore said the cyclone was particularly dangerous because of a combination of its strength, width, the slow speed it was travelling at and high tides that will coincide with the storm.

“It’s now a severe tropical cyclone expected to intensify to a category 4,” he told news.com.au.

“When you get strong cyclones you have wind speeds and gusts at the core up to 280kph it’s going to leave widespread damage to houses, there will be trees down, caravans over and that sort of stuff.”

Mr Narramore said the slower a cyclone moved the more damage it was likely to cause.

“This one is such a large system we can expect high winds for hours that are going to put a lot of strain on trees, vegetation and infrastructure,” he said.

“Most cyclones move slowly at between 10-20kph.”

The towns most likely to be affected include Bowen, Hamilton Island, the Whitsundays and Ayr.

“It’s a strong and destructive system and there will be large scale damage,” Mr Narramore said.

“The high tides and cyclone is going to combine to create a pretty strong storm surge tomorrow morning.

“The water levels exceeding high tide in the region will be pretty dangerous.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said wind gusts of up to 100km/h were already affecting the Whitsunday area as Cyclone Debbie bears down on the state and tracks “further south”.

Ms Palaszczuk said the evacuation area had been expanded to Bowen and low-lying areas of Mackay.

“This window of opportunity to leave is drastically closing,” she said.

BEARING DOWN

As darkness neared, the wind lifted and rain was picking up a residents battened down for the storm.

On Daydream Island, guests were being moved to inward-facing rooms, with Jessica Swann tweeting a last video of high winds before she was moved for the night.

Latest video from our room at 1600. About to move to a more protected room inward facing. #CycloneDebbie #DayDreamIsland #Whitsundays #Aust pic.twitter.com/G1DeXo2aJP — Jessica Swann (@JessicaSwann) March 27, 2017

In Mackay, @JointCyclone tweeted video of “increasing wind gusts and squally showers” closing in as Cyclone Debbie stole closer.

#CycloneDebbie is slowly to moving toward over the Mackay, Queensland, Australia with increasing wind gusts & squally showers pic.twitter.com/oGYaaDJO0E — Joint Cyclone Center (@JointCyclone) March 27, 2017

At 7pm, @Chrissy Arthur tweeted the streets in the Mackay CBD were “quiet now ... long night ahead”.

Streets quiet now in Mackay. Long night ahead. 25,000 people could be impacted by tidal surge #CycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/qokoKrXrEV — Chrissy Arthur (@ChrissyArthur) March 27, 2017

Cyclone Debbie batters the coast Cyclone Debbie batters the coast

Some locals were preparing as only Far North Queenslanders can: with defiance and dry wit.

As Bowen braced itself, local resident Graham Wilson rose at 2am Monday to spray paint his fence with the message: “Cyclone Debbie bring it on Bowen is not a pussy town do your best you got.” He told the Brisbane Times he painted the message to lift people’s spirits.

Meanwhile, this slightly more pointed sign, painted on a reinforced door in preparation, was doing the rounds of Twitter and Facebook, with a blunt message: “F*** off” Debbie”.

CYCLONE DEBBIE TURNS DEADLY

One life has already been claimed after a tourist died in chaotic weather conditions this morning.

QLD police confirmed a 31-year-old woman was killed in a car accident, citing severe weather as a factor.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart confirmed the tragedy as he repeated warnings for people to evacuate while there was still time.

“It is time to think very logically about your safety and the safety of your family. But also, the safety of your neighbours, particularly if they are vulnerable people,” he said.

“The elderly and the infirmed. I would ask people to really consider their actions.”

Paramedics said the crash took place on Shute Harbour Road near Proserpine around 8.10am.

Two people were taken to Proserpine Hospital with minor injuries while one woman died at the scene.

“People need drive to the conditions and really think about whether they need to go outside at this point,” Mr Stewart said.

“At some time later today the weather event in that area, in the warning area, will get to an extent where all Emergency Services will not be able to respond to calls for assistance.

“We need you to help us to ensure there aren’t any further tragedies.”

.@CoPStewart has confirmed a crash has claimed the life of a tourist near Prosperpine. Severe weather a factor. #CycloneDebbie — QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 27, 2017

Severe Weather Update: Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, 27 March 2017 Severe Weather Update: Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, 27 March 2017

EVACUATIONS UNDER WAY

Thousands of people have been evacuated as the monster cyclone approaches, bringing 280km/h winds, destructive rain and tidal surges.

On top of the 25,000 people being moved out of Mackay, residents in low-lying areas across Bowen, Proserpine, and Airlie Beach have already been ordered to evacuate their homes as Debbie intensifies.

The evacuations come amid warnings that the powerful storm surge will coincide with tomorrow’s high tide, potentially putting lives in danger.

The BoM has also warned residents between Lucinda and Mackay of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast with warnings of a 4m surge expected.

Evacuations began yesterday, with the Whitsunday Regional Council ordering people in several low-lying coastal areas of the region ahead of a forecast significant tidal storm surge to seek higher ground.

More than 1000 emergency services staff as well as Australian Defence Force personnel are being deployed to the region in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.

All flights in and out of Townsville have been cancelled ahead of Debbie making landfall and beaches from Townsville to Sarina have been closed, the Courier-Mail reported.

Labelling it a “very dangerous storm” the BoM warns the cyclone could have destructive and devastating impacts, and those living in affected areas should evacuate now.

Police and State Emergency Service volunteers have been doorknocking in red zones which are predicted to be affected by the storm tide.

People have been told to pack essential belongings and to stay with friends or family on higher ground.

Residents have been stocking up in supermarkets across the region and more than 100 schools and 100 early childhood centres remain closed.

The closures stretch from north of Townsville to south of Proserpine.

The arrival of Tropical Cyclone Debbie is forecast to be the worst since Cyclone Yasi six years ago, however authorities are concerned that many people are not taking the warnings seriously.

CAUGHT IN THE STORM

News.com.au reporter Emma Reynolds, who is currently in Airlie Beach, was told to evacuate via SMS yesterday.

“We’ve been told by SES that low lying areas (ie the ground floor of our hotel on Shute Harbour Road) will definitely be underwater with 8m swell. [We were] told to get emergency water and chargers,” she said.

SES telling us to evacuate hotel on Shute Harbour Rd in Airlie Beach with 8m swell expected #TCDebbie #CycloneDebbie #TropicalCycloneDebbie — Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) March 26, 2017

Getting dark and rain getting heavier as we wait in hotel in #airliebeach beach now #TCDebbie #CycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/6Chu8Lj0ZR — Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) March 27, 2017

She was also told low lying areas along the coast would be flooded with the SES in Airlie Beach declaring it a “disaster situation”.

At 1.30pm, the streets were mostly deserted and littered with branches in torrential rain and fierce wind, with almost every shop and cafe shut and barricaded with sandbags.

Travellers said they were sharing accommodation after mass evacuations, and had been told to fill sinks and baths with water for extra water supplies.

A Chinese tourist said she was due to fly home from Melbourne in two days and was now unlikely to make her flight.

Tigerair told passengers whose flights were cancelled this morning they would not be able to get a flight until Friday, although some flights are still scheduled to leave on Wednesday and Thursday, weather permitting.

As the rain poured down in Airlie Beach, residents and backpackers dressed in raincoats and ponchos were hurrying to stock up on supplies.

Locals sandbagged their properties, taped up windows and moved outdoor furniture inside, with even those not on the water’s edge concerned the creek might overflow and turn their backyards into swimming pools.

Tourists have been evacuated from waterfront hotels, with some finding properties on higher ground.

Others have been trying to drive out of town before the cyclone hits with many backpackers taking shelter at a school in nearby Proserpine.

David Coles, 29, and Natalie Businsky, 21, from Canberra told news.com.au their flight had been cancelled so they were staying on at an Airbnb with a local family who have a basement.

“There are buses to Cairns today, my mum wanted me to get on one but we decided not to go,” David said. “There’s a bunker in the house.”

The pair purchased “canned food, spaghetti, stuff we don’t have to cook”, he added.

“We’re stuck here until Wednesday but it depends how bad the damage is, it could be even later,” Natalie said.

Shelves at Woolworths were emptied of bottled water, with the supermarket closing after midday and to remain shut tomorrow when the storm hits.

Greg Saunders, 42, said “everyone” had been into the local bottle shop where he works and that the store would probably be one of the last open.

Mr Saunders, who lives in nearby Cannonvale, said his brother had moved into his house after being evacuated.

“A lot of people who don’t have houses are worried, people living in caravans, travelling by car, living in hostels that aren’t protected. The people who’ve been moved haven’t been given much guidance on what to do.”

Leonie Ager, 58, was out on her catamaran when she received a text to make her way to shore, and asked the owner if she could stay at a property she had been looking at buying at Whitsundays Rainforest Retreat. “It was pretty rough getting home,” she said. “At the moment, it’s the highest tide of the year and then you’ve got a tidal surge, that’s the problem.

“They can’t guarantee the emergency services will come help you [in the marina] because of tidal surges. We’re just bracing ourselves.”

Shani Granville, from Sydney, said her family had been moved from a room high on a corner to lower down at Peppers resort. Earlier she was out buying food and drink for a group of adults and children, but said her 10-month-old daughter would “have to eat breakfast pouches for the next four days”.

The 34-year-old added: “You come here for a holiday on the Great Barrier Reef, my son was so excited to go snorkelling, but at least he can tell his friends he’s been in a cyclone.”

‘NOT GOING ANYWHERE’

Meanwhile Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull repeated appeals for those in the cyclone’s path to listen to authorities while paying tribute to emergency services personnel and volunteers.

The PM’s appeal comes after Queensland Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Mark Roch warned the cyclone will cause significant damage.

Mr Roch said some people don’t want to evacuate but they needed to listen to the advice at hand,

“Well, in reality, there’s been a number of emergency alerts in very specific locations, and that’s within Townsville, Burdekin, and also Whitsunday Local Government areas,” he said.

“They need to listen to that advice, listen to the experts. And we are asking people if you are getting advice to leave, please leave.”

He warned people needed to listen and act now before it is too late.

“Take this seriously. This is going to be a significant event,” he said.

Despite the warnings, some residents have refused to leave and are waiting the storm out.

Darrell Locke, 62, who lives in a red zone at Queen’s Beach in Bowen, told the Courier-Mail he had seen out six cyclones and had no plans to go anywhere.

“This’ll be the biggest cyclone we’ve ever seen but we’re all boarded up and will stick it out,” he said.

Ayr resident Jan Bridges, was also refusing to leave her home despite being in the direct path of Cyclone Debbie.

“I’m staying,” Ms Bridges told authorities who urged her to leave.

An Emergency Alert issued at 9pm last night by the Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group said communities are expecting impact from a dangerous storm tide caused by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

‘DESTRUCTIVE CORE’

The bureau forecasts the “very destructive core” of Debbie will bring with it wind gusts between 260-280km/h in the cyclone’s centre.

In a statement BoM Queensland Regional Director Bruce Gunn warned this cyclone is very dangerous.

“Communities between Lucinda and St Lawrence, including Townsville, Bowen and Mackay, may experience gales in the next 24 hours, with the Whitsundays and surrounding coastal islands among the first areas to be impacted,” he said.

“Storm surge is also risk factor, and if the cyclone crosses the coast around high tide this will enhance these effects. People living in coastal or low-lying areas prone to flooding should follow the advice of local emergency services and relocate while there is time.

“Cyclone Debbie is likely to maintain cyclone strength for some distance inland towards Charters Towers, with damaging to destructive winds, delivering significant rainfall as it tracks to the west-southwest.”

Areas on the outer reaches of the storm will still receive winds with gusts more than 100km/h, forecasters are warning.

STORM WARNING

According to the BoM, a Category 4 system is defined as one that has sustained winds in the range of 160-200km/h, with gusts up to 280km/h.

While the strongest winds are near the core, damaging and very destructive winds can extend several hundred kilometres from the cyclone’s centre.

The BoM predicts Townsville — home to around 190,000 people — could also be impacted by Category 3 strength winds, with gusts in excess of 165km/h.

Widespread daily rainfall of up to 200mm is expected as the cyclone hits, with isolated falls in excess of 400mm possible along the coastal fringe.

megan.palin@news.com.au

debra.killalea@news.com.au