6pm: Dr Richard Wardle provides an update on the developing flood situation.
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5.40pm: The Community Recovery Hotline is available to assist those affected by ex- Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
5.35pm: Disaster at Eton, west of Mackay this afternoon. Severe flash flooding has water through many houses.
5.20pm: Check out this video of the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton.
5.10pm: Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson has issued an evacuation of Mackay, for residents downstream of Sunwater’s Kinchant Dam and council’s Middle Creek Dam.
“Both dams are now spilling and evacuation orders have been issued for downstream members,” he said.
“Downstream from Kinchant Dam, 100 orders of evacuation have gone out in Sandy Creek.
“Residents of Middle Creek, Plain Creek and down to Serena have also been ordered to move to higher ground.”
5.05pm: Locals prepare for another storm to hit as a severe thunderstorm warning is released.
The storm is likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.
Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Townsville and Hamilton Island.
4.55pm: The Bureau of Meteorology has reported Pioneer Basin has received over 1000mm in the last 48 hours.
4.50pm: The Bureau of Meteorology have again predicted the movement of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie as she moves interstate.
4.40pm: An elderly man has been rescued from a flooded creek near Bunderberg after his car was swept away by rising floodwaters.
The man attempted to cross the flooded causeway and was later rescued by a QFES officers and a local tractor.
4.35pm: Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne says his department is working closely with industry and agricultural producers to ensure assistance is available for those impacted by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
4.25pm: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a $1 million donation to assist four leading charities deliver urgent services and support communities devastated by Cyclone Debbie.
Ms Palaszczuk said the Australian Red Cross Society, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society of Queensland and UnitingCare Community would all receive $250,000 in funding.
“My Government is committed to supporting cyclone-ravaged communities rebuild in the wake of Cyclone Debbie,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Delivering an injection of funds straight to these charities means they can immediately begin rolling out support services to parts of north Queensland devastated by Cyclone Debbie.”
Ms Palaszczuk encouraged people to get behind the disaster response and dig deep to support charities raising funds to help cyclone-hit regions.
4.15pm: Queensland Country Life journalist, Sally Cripps, reports an arm of Cyclone Debbie has hit western Queensland near Barcaldine.
4.10pm: Following ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, a flood watch has been established further south; covering Longreach, Roma, Charleville, Goondiwindi, Surfers Paradise, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Gympie and Bunderberg.
4.00pm: The Bakery at Hamilton Island was on high demand this morning. Check out the line up!
3.52pm: Australia's tomato and capsicum supply could be under threat after Cyclone Debbie smashed the key production area around Bowen on the Queensland central coast.
3.07pm: Incredible to imagine that sandbagging has now started at the other end of the state – in the Redlands. TC Debbie sure has a long reach.
1.47pm: Those starting to count the cost of TC Debbie might be interested in this recap of other recent cyclone bills.
1.20pm: The latest rainfall map.
1.10pm: Widespread rain with the promise of more to come has fired up the cattle market once again.
12.50pm: Cyclone Debbie appears to have added another blow to the Great Barrier Reef, hammering a region that had escaped the worst of the coral bleaching over the past 15 months, a senior researcher says.
12.20pm: The Collinsville, Mt Coolon, and Clermont districts have been under some long awaited rain courtesy of the rain depression following ex-TC Debbie.
12.15pm: While many areas are expecting rain, sadly the Flinders region has missed out. Read more here.
12.05pm: Here’s a full list of current road closures across Queensland.
12.00pm: A snapshot of some of the rain tallies.
11.50am: Parts of Queensland and NSW can expect another two to three days of severe weather.
11.45am: Thirteen different sections of the Bruce Highway have been closed.
11.15am: Remember if it's flooded, forget it! Current road closures can be found at Department of Transport and Main Roads.
11.10am: Rural Aid has programs and connections to other services to assist rural communities and farmers through the devastation of Cyclone Debbie.
11am: Isaac Regional Council mayor and LDMG Chair, Anne Baker, urges all residents to stay inside and keep safe as Debbie crosses inland.
10.30am: Heavy rain and wind from ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie continue today, shifting south through tomorrow with heavy falls.
10.20am: Mackay mayor, Greg Williamson, has addressed the media saying:
"We've had no info out of Midge Point. We have a chopper going out within an hour. I fear for Midge Point.”
Police say door knocking is about to start at Midge Point and St Helen due to potential storm surge.
10.05am: The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has advised drivers with flash flooding expected across parts of QLD to remember: if it’s flooded, forget it.
But it didn’t stop these drivers attempting to cross floodwaters this morning.
9.56am: RACQ team pack up and head to Mackay to help those affected by the cyclone.
9:50am: West of the Gold Coast Hinze Dam is flowing over the spillway.
9.25am: Two men stranded after their vessel ran aground on rocks near Whitsunday Island have been located.
The crew from a water police vessel sighted the men and were able to see that they were safe and well.
A police rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) was deployed and whilst alongside the stricken vessel, the men aboard were able to lower themselves down into the RHIB.
The men have now been taken to Shute Harbour by police.
9.05am: A major flood warning has been issued for the Pioneer River, between Sarich's and Mirani Weir, as well as the Connors and Isaac Rivers.
9.00am: More than 800mm has been recorded in the upper Bowen River catchment. The lower Burdekin River is expecting moderate flood levels.
8.50am: The army is heading south to help with clean up.
8.45am: The wind at Hay Point was stronger today than when Debbie made landfall.
8.40am: Looks like somebody missed the stay off the roads memo.
8.25am: Planes have been flipped at the Bowen airstrip.
8.10am: Time to take a look at the rain map. Ex-TC Debbie is starting to bring rain inland.
8.00am: Well that’s exciting! A mum has given birth to her daughter, Billiana, at the Cannonvale Ambulance Station.
7.50am: Transport and Main Roads is asking residents to stay off the roads for as long as possible today to allow emergency services to respond to their jobs as quickly as possible.
7.40am: The Townsville radar show ex-TC Debbie moving inland.
7.30am: Fourth generation cane grower Glenn Clarke, Proserpine, said it looked like his crop had been “steamrolled”. Read more here.
7.22am: 136 schools and 171 early childhood education and care centres are closed today. Find out if your school is affected here.
7.20am: The sun is up and north Queensland residents have begun to survey the damage. In Airlie Beach, a yacht has washed ashore.
Wednesday, 7.10am: Debbie was downgraded to a severe tropical low at 3am this morning. Winds near the centre of 55km/h are expected and gusts of up to 85km/h.
WEDNESDAY
6.30am: Disaster assistance has been announced for eight local government areas affected by Cyclone Debbie. Full story here.
5.59am: Nine steps for those going into recovery and cleanup mode today.
5.20am: TC Debbie is now tracking inland and is expected to dump some big totals on the Central Highlands and Coalfields today before heading south east on Thursday. Here’s a wrap of where the rain is expected to fall in the next 48 hours. Full Story.
9.30pm: Have you been on social media while waiting out the storm? See if your video or photo made our readers gallery.
9.10pm: Some footage of flooding at the Goose-ponds in Mackay.
8.31pm: Reports coming in that the jetty at Daydream Island has been destroyed.
7.57pm: All eyes are now on inland regions as Cyclone Debbie tracks south.
7.52pm: While much of the nation was focused firmly on Cyclone Debbie, Camooweal had it’s hottest March day on record. Course it did!
7.34pm: An early indication of how some of the cane has weathered the storm.
6.41pm: Even bees need to be protected from mother nature.
6.21pm: Mackay will turn its attention to recovery tomorrow. Listen to Mayor Greg Williamson about the road ahead.
6.17pm: Even a Hollywood star was in the corner of north Queensland communities as they started down TC Debbie. Find out who it was.
6.09pm: The latest information from the BOM about TC Debbie as it heads inland. Now a category three system, TC Debbie is forecast to move slowly southwest over the next 12 to 18 hours before curving to a more southerly track over inland Queensland. Full cyclone advice here
6pm: Some information on roads impacted by TC Debbie, courtesy of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
5.58pm: If you are in need of help in the Isaac Region, call 1300 133 773.
5.32pm: Communities in Isaac Region remain in the warning zone.
5.20pm: Here is the latest tracking map for TC Debbie, issued by the BOM at 5.04pm. Read here for a full cyclone advice. The area from Townsville to Ayr has been removed from the warning zone.
5.19pm: Townsville will return to normal tomorrow. Read more here
4.38pm: The latest video from the BOM.
4.36pm: Reports from the cyclone zone suggest Proserpine and Airlie Beach have been hit hard.
4.09pm: Meanwhile Greens Senator Adam Bandt is in hot water over his comments linking Cyclone Debbie to climate change. Full story here.
4.05pm: Some practical advice from Queensland Health on helping your children through natural disasters.
4pm: As Tropical Cyclone Debbie continues to head south, some schools in the Townsville region have announced they will open tomorrow.
3.57pm: It’s starting to look a lot like a white Christmas in Sarina this afternoon.
3.53pm: Pictures of damage from the cyclone zone are starting to appear on social media.
3.44pm: Fairfax journalists report in from Hamilton Island and Bowen. See their footage here.
3.39pm: A lucky escape for one Mackay car owner.
3.29pm: 45,000 customers now without power in cyclone zone.
3.19pm: A man has been badly hurt by a falling wall at Proserpine. Full story here.
3.16pm: TC Debbie has weakened to a category three system.
2.54pm: It wouldn’t be a news event without the Betoota Advocate’s take on the cyclone!
2.49pm: Panic buying hasn’t been confined to the cyclone zone. ABC Mount Isa reporter Zara Margolis has discovered it’s happening way out west as well.
2.36pm: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that Townsville-based Australian Army Brigadier Christopher Field will coordinate Queensland’s recovery efforts following Cyclone Debbie.
2.35pm: Prosperpine is bearing the brunt of #TCDebbie at the moment. Roofs are lifting off, including this one.
2.25pm: Plenty of reports of flooding are coming in, including this one from the Middle Creek Jenners Road crossing at Sarina.
Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it!
2.06pm: It’s official – Debbie is a disaster.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a catastrophe for damage caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, which made landfall this afternoon between Bowen and Airlie Beach.
Details here.
1.38pm: Please remember, stay OUT of the water, unlike these people spotted near Sarina earlier. Don’t put yourself or our emergency personnel in danger.
1.23pm: There are reports of roofs being ripped off at Proserpine as the cyclone makes landfall.
1.02pm: The 1pm tracking map for TC Debbie, issued by the BOM.
Latest tropical cyclone advice here.
12.44pm: Volunteering Queensland is gearing up to get people on the ground in cyclone-affected communities of north Queensland. Can you help when the danger has passed?
12.43pm: Check out the latest vision from BOM as TC Debbie makes landfall.
12.39pm: Burdekin cane grower Garry Spotswood shares the impacts from TC Debbie.
12.27pm: TC Debbie makes landfall.
12.10pm: Sarina Beach at high tide, thanks to Mackay Regional Council.
12.01pm: BOM says eye wall of severe tropical cyclone Debbie now impacting the Whitsunday Islands and nearby mainland.
The cyclone is beginning to make landfall on the mainland between Bowen and Airlie Beach, and will move gradually inland through this afternoon and evening. For a full report read here
11.58am: Massive power loss in cyclone-affected communities.
11.48am: When Samantha Burnhams and her family, from Dapto, Wollongong, wanted a family holiday in paradise, they never bargained to be stuck on Hamilton Island with TC Debbie bearing down. Read more here.
11.42am: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the BOM expects TC Debbie to cross the coast at midday.
“I can also give you updated information that what we have seen just south of Proserpine is rainfall in excess of 210 millimetres that has fallen in an hour. This is equivalent to a one in a 100 year event.”
11.39am: QCL journalist Kelly Butterworth captured the cyclonic winds at Mackay.
11.37am: With TC Debbie yet to cross the Queensland coast, Australians are already digging deep to help those communities which will be affected.
11.26am: See the damage at Hamilton Island.
11.20am: Airlie Beach is feeling the full force of TC Debbie. Video captured by Jackman Marine.
11.18am: Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson’s message.
11.08am: The latest map from the BOM showing the position of severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie at 11am.
11.03am: Mackay residents are being urged to stay clear of the harbour as wind from the category 4 cyclone pick up:
10.55am: Townsville and Magnetic Island residents are warned to remain alert and stay indoors until Tropical Cyclone Debbie crosses the coast today. More here.
10.50am: Wind speed data coming in from Hamilton Island at present is nearly off the scale – at 10.30am the wind speed was 183km/h and gusts were being recorded of 263km/h or 142 knots.
10.42am: Amazing “before and during” photos from Hamilton Island show the sheer magnitude of #TCDebbie at the moment, her cyclonic wind and huge volumes of rain:
10.30am: CQUniversity campuses at Mackay and Townsville are closed due to Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Read the full story here.
10.23am: Thousands of north Queensland residents are now without power:
10.16am: Our QCL reporter Kelly Butterworth is on the spot in Mackay as winds from #TCDebbie bear down:
10.08am: “Carnage” is how Airlie Beach resident Adrian Pelt is describing the scene outside his home at the moment.
The owner of the region’s largest owner-operated yacht charter business said the storm was still building and winds were close to 200kmh as the full effect of TC Debbie began to be felt.
Read our full story here.
9.54am: A weather station on a Proserpine cane farm clocks winds of 145km.
9.53am: Australia’s key banana growing regions in Far North Queensland a breathing a sigh of relief. Read more here
9.10am: The latest BOM graphic is now online.
8.55am: RACQ is reminding residents to stay inside as the eye of the storm approaches.
8.45am: Premier Annastacia Palaszcuzk says BOM cannot rule out TC Debbie becoming a category 5 system.
8.30am: Hamilton Island is in the eye of the storm and has just recorded a wind gust of 222km/h.
8.25am: TC Debbie is gaining international attention: a number of French tweets are filtering and The New York Times is providing updates.
8.22am: Just in case you were thinking of going surfing, all beaches from Townsville to Sarina have been closed.
8.20am: The Himawari-8 satellite has captured this spectacular overview.
8.15am: Parts of Mackay, Airlie Beach and Proserpine have lost power. To keep track of if your friends and loved ones may not have power, click here.
8.03am: BOM is reporting the eye wall of TC Debbie is beginning to impact parts of the Whitsunday Islands.
8.00am: Powerlines are down across the Whitsundays. Please be careful!
7.50am: The centre of Mackay feels like a ghost town as residents head warnings and stay inside.
7.47am: Brisbane Times report Jorge Branco says there has been 2.4mm of rain at Ayr.
7.45am: TC Debbie is currently 95km NNE of Bowen and 65km NNE of Hamilton Island.
7.30am: Messages of support from across Australia are already pouring in on Twitter.
7.25am: The latest video of the powerful wind and rain on Hayman Island.
7.20am: Dawson MP George Christensen has spoken with Studio 10 this morning and said: "There's also a massive sugar industry in Proserpine and Mackay, that is also at risk."
7.12am: The International Space Station has orbited near Cyclone Debbie and captured the vast size of this weather system.
7.10am: James Reynolds has shared this footage of the wind lashing Airlie Beach.
7.02am: The latest news from Brisbane Times:
6.49am: Vision in via Twitter from Hamilton Island as daylight returns:
6.42am: The Queensland Police Service media unit reports it’s no longer able to respond to calls for service in the Whitsundays as it’s too dangerous. They still have capacity in Mackay.
6.31am: The Mackay Local Ambulance coordination centre is advising residents and tourists to evacuate low-lying areas as tidal surges and flash flooding are expected when Cyclone Debbie touches down on Queensland's north coast around midday. Courtesy ABC News 24.
TUESDAY:
6.13am: Our journalist Kelly Butterworth is in Mackay as day breaks.
6am: The eye of Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Debbie is now close to Hayman Island where wind gusts of up to 190km/hour have been recorded.
5.57am: BOM meteorologists are warning TC Debbie may now cross the coast close to high tide.
5.48am: Once Tropical Cyclone Debbie crosses the coast, landholders in drought affected parts of inland Queensland are desperately hoping she brings some rain. Here’s the forecast rain map for the next eight days.
5.41am: Footage from Mackay shows the strength of the winds and rain. Residents are now reporting first light and are being urged not to venture outside.
5.29am: Plenty of Mackay residents are now reporting power outages across the region.
5.15am: Tropical cyclone Debbie is making herself known in the Whitsundays, with wind gusts picking up rapidly.
5am: The 5am forecast track map has been released by BOM, which shows just how close #TCDebbie is to the Whitsundays.
With Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island due to cop the full brunt of Debbie in the next hours, BOM has warned of the intensity of the cyclone.
Intensity: category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 175km/h with wind gusts to 250km/h.
Location: within 30km of 19.8 degrees south, 149.2 degrees east, 105km east-northeast of Bowen and 75km north-northeast of Hamilton Island .
Movement: west south-west at 9km per hour.
Severe tropical cyclone Debbie is currently a category 4 cyclone and is forecast to make landfall between Ayr and Midge Point late this morning.
4.50am: The strong weather is intensifying, with Airlie Beach residents reporting the wind is getting stronger as #TCDebbie approaches them.
According to BOM, the very destructive core of tropical cyclone Debbie is now starting to impact the Whitsunday Islands and the centre of the system is forecast to cross the coast between Ayr and Midge Point later this morning with wind gusts potentially to 260km/h near the centre.
Destructive winds with gusts over 125km/h are occurring about the Whitsunday Islands, and will extend further to the coast and islands between Ayr and Sarina during this morning.
These winds may extend further north along the coast to Townsville and to adjacent inland areas, including Collinsville and Charters Towers, and Mount Coolon during the day today.
It is possible the winds may extend further south along the coast to St Lawrence today.
4.30am: Tropical Cyclone Debbie is well on her way to the coast, with very strong winds and heavy rainfall lashing towns.
BOM have released the latest forecast tracking map, showing #TCDebbie rapidly approaching the Whitsundays as a category four system.
It is expected to make landfall in the Bowen region by noon.
11.33pm: #TCDebbie might take longer to cross the coast than expected.
The very destructive core is forecast to cross the coast between Ayr and Cape Hillsborough (north of Mackay) on Tuesday morning with wind gusts potentially to 275 km/h near the centre of the system.
10.30pm: Reports are coming in that parts of Airlie Beach have lost power.
10.05pm: BOM has released the latest forecast track map for TC Debbie.
The category 4 system is moving at 175km/hour with wind gusts to 250km/hour.
10pm: Thoughts and well wishes for the affected regions are coming in thick and fast on Twitter.
9.40pm: Store sales in the affected regions are being cancelled.
Due to the threat of Tropical Cyclone Debbie, the combined agents’ weekly prime and store sale at the Dalrymple Saleyard has been cancelled.
This is the second week in a row the Charters Towers sale has been cancelled, after the March 22 sale was revoked due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Cattle are booked in for the next prime and store sale, although the date remains unknown.
9.20pm: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews are getting ready to respond.
9.15pm: BOM has released the latest forecast map. The cyclone remains a category 4.
9.10pm: The Whitsundays are copping the brunt of TC Debbie, with strong winds and rainfall.
9pm: Thousands of residents have fled their homes on the Queensland coast.
8.45pm: Government departments are ready to respond when TC Debbie crosses the coast.
The Palaszczuk government has pre-deployed or put on standby almost 2000 staff in readiness for Tropical Cyclone Debbie to cross the Queensland coast early tomorrow morning.
Speaking after the Queensland Disaster Management Committee meeting tonight, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said across multiple agencies – and in partnership with local councils and the Australian Defence Force - the government has made comprehensive preparations for Tropical Cyclone Debbie, its damaging winds, heavy rains and high tides.
“My priority is to keep Queenslanders safe. We have ensured our staff are pre-deployed or on standby to support communities,” she said.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service have 146 staff, including the Disaster Assistance Response Team, deployed and ready to respond. More than 500 SES staff are in place in the region across the region.
The Queensland Police Service has 40 additional personnel deployed, and a further 270 officers and other staff are on standby.
The Queensland Ambulance Service has pre-deployed 25 staff to Townsville and Mackay and the State Ambulance Coordination Centre (SACC) has been stood up.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority has deployed regional liaison officers to Burdekin and Whitsundays to provide specialist support to local disaster management groups and councils. Eight damage assessment officers are on standby to assist QFES on the ground.
Ergon Energy has been stood up and is making preparations.
To date, 800 energy workers including North Queensland-based employees and contractor resources are ready to respond.
An additional 75 Energex staff were deployed from Brisbane today, with 130 extra Energex staff to deploy tomorrow. Communities reliant on Ergon have sufficient fuel supplies in place. Generation assets are being moved closer to the likely impact zones. Ergon has 125 generators and three mobile substations.
Powerlink has 60 staff on standby in Townsville and Mackay to respond to issues.
More than 317 schools, TAFEs, Early Childhood Education and Care Services are closed in the impacted regions. Visit the Department of Education's closure website at http://closures.det.qld.gov.au/
The Department of Housing and Public Works has 336 staff on standby for deployment, including Housing and Homelessness Services staff and Building and Asset Services staff.
Six Community Recovery specialist staff are pre-positioned in north Queensland. A further 300 Ready Reservists are available for immediate deployment following the impact, when possible and safe to do so.
The Department of Communities’ planning is well advanced with worst case scenario planning including the provision of service options through up to 13 Recovery Hubs and 70 Outreach teams. The Department has provided 30,000 debit cards to north and far north Queensland to streamline access to assistance for affected families and households.
The Australian Defence Force has been stood up and is ready to deploy teams to affected areas.
8.40pm: The Mackay Hospital and Health Service is urging available staff to attend work.
8.30pm: The wind and rain is really picking up in Mackay, with the northern beaches suburb of Eimeo seeing increasingly strong weather.
8.20pm: Evacuations are still underway in Mackay.
8.15pm: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is making an address, and has warned against taking risks.
8pm: BOM has released the latest forecast track of TC Debbie, which has intensified to category 4.
The latest BOM data said:
Intensity: category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 165 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 250 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 30km of 19.5 degrees south, 149.8 degrees east, 170km east-northeast of Bowen and 195km north northeast of Mackay .
Movement: west southwest at 9km/hour.
Severe tropical cyclone Debbie has strengthened into a category 4 system. It may intensify further as it continues to move west-southwest towards the north Queensland coast tonight.
Severe tropical cyclone Debbie is forecast to make landfall between Cape Upstart and Cape Hillsborough (north of Mackay) on Tuesday morning.
7.55pm: Check out the satellite view of TC Debbie approaching the Queensland coast.
7.40pm: Commissioner Ian Stewart addressing the media.
7.30pm: The radar loop from Mackay showing TC Debbie tracking towards the coast.
7.20pm: An emergency alert has been issue for Mackay residents.
Emergency alerts have been issued by Mackay Regional Council directing residents in the green and red zones in the areas of: North Pioneer, South Pioneer, Louisa Creek, Armstrong’s Beach, Dunrock, Ball Bay, Freshwater Point, Grasstree, Half Tide and Seaforth, to evacuate immediately.
Council advised of a storm tide warning on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
7.15pm: TC Debbie may be tracking south, but Townsville and Magnetic Island residents should remain vigilant and prepared for dangerous winds from Tropical Cyclone Debbie, according to latest advice.
Tropical Cyclone Debbie is currently a Category 3 system and is expected to intensify to Category 4 strength before it crosses the coast between Ayr and Mackay tomorrow morning.
TLDMG chair and mayor Cr Jenny Hill warned residents that Townsville remained in the cyclone warning zone despite Tropical Cyclone Debbie tracking south of the city.
“Based on the latest advice from the Bureau, destructive winds could still reach Townsville by 8am tomorrow morning depending on the final path of the cyclone overnight,” Cr Hill said.
“The Disaster Co-ordination Centre remains operational with all necessary emergency services available. Tropical Cyclone Debbie will be monitored closely throughout the night.”
“Staff and resources are also on standby to provide support to our neighbouring communities to our south who are tonight bracing for the full force of Cyclone Debbie.”
7.05pm: Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson gives an update.
7pm: Night may have fallen while the updates were rolling, but it did so in style.
6.55pm: Another very useful service detailing wind speeds and conditions from the BOM:
6.48pm: Evacuations are taking place in a number of locations around Bowen as night falls.
6.41pm: Keen to help out the people who will inevitably suffer damage as a result of #TCDebbie? Online not-for-profit GIVIT is ready to manage offers of assistance on behalf of the Queensland government through the website givit.org.au.
To aid recovery GIVIT has opened up an SMS line so people can donate via their phones by texting DEBBIE to 0437 371 371.
All 100 per cent of funds received by GIVIT will go to helping those in affected areas recovery and where possible, GIVIT buys items locally.
6.25pm: Red Cross is in action in Bowen:
6.16pm: Ergon Energy is using Townsville as a staging post for almost 200 crews.
An assessment of the network will be undertaken once the cyclone has passed.
Please only call for assistance if you have an emergency situation.
5.58pm: Central Highlands residents have been urged to be “alert, but not alarmed” as Cyclone Debbie bears down on the tropical north Queensland coast.
Mayor Kerry Hayes said local plans to deal with any weather event from the cyclone were well in place.
“The focus right now is on the coast and we certainly feel for those people who are facing down what looks like a rough couple of days.
“But the path of a cyclone is extremely unpredictable and today we can only plan for the worst and hope for the best.
“As far as we know, the north and west of the Central Highlands region can expect very heavy rain over the next few days and the whole of the region will experience very high wind gusts.”
Cr Hayes said the most important things to concentrate on were:
- If you’re likely to be isolated, make sure you have enough food and medication for seven days.
- If it’s flooded, forget it. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads in any circumstance.
- Prepare for lengthy interruptions to the electricity supply.
- Prepare your home and surrounds to cope with high winds.
“We are well-resourced and experienced when it comes to dealing with this type of weather event and I want to re-assure everyone that our full complement of SES volunteers and other emergency personnel will remain in this area to attend to our needs first.”
5.44pm: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services deputy commissioner Mark Roche has just spoken to Sky News about TC Debbie preparations.
5.34pm: Up to 30,000 residents have been urged to evacuate as the latest BOM tracking map is released.
5.27pm: A moderate flood warning is now in place for the Don River:
5.14pm: Vision of a very wet view at Airlie Beach just in:
4.48pm: Our journalist, Kelly Butterworth is on the spot in Mackay as #TCDebbie bears down:
4.55pm: Some great tips from RSPCA on caring for your pets and livestock in natural disasters:
4.44: An emergency alert has been issued by Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council advising Palm Island residents to stay inside their homes from sunset/6pm until emergency services advise the weather is clear.
Council advises the cyclone will bring strong winds and a storm tide that may damage property. Residents are also advised: conditions may still be dangerous after the cyclone has passed; do not touch power lines and do not drive through floodwater.
4.30pm: The BOM has released its latest track map. Debbie is currently a category 3 storm with wind gusts to 220/kmh.
4.20pm: Opposition leader Tim Nicholls is in Townsville this afternoon with a message for those in the path of the cyclone: “Please listen to emergency service directives” to stay safe.
Mr Nicholls says he will be staying out of the way and letting emergency personnel get on with their jobs.
4.09pm: Mackay residents are beginning to evacuate. The Commissioner of Police is urging courtesy in the face of congestion.
3.52pm: Satellite image shows the developing structure of TC Debbie. Next BOM advice due at 4pm.
3.50pm: Here are the green, red and orange flood zones maps in Mackay.
3.46pm: More than 800 Queensland energy workers are now on standby to assist with power issues set to be caused by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
TC Debbie has been upgraded to a category three and is forecast to cross the coast of North Queensland tomorrow morning, impacting between Townsville and Proserpine.
Minister for Energy Mark Bailey farewelled a further 130 Energex crews who were deployed from Ipswich this morning after thanking 75 energy workers for their assistance who were moved north yesterday.
“Given the strength of the cyclone, loss of power was almost certain in many areas,” he said.
“Restoration crews will work to restore power as soon as possible once safe access is possible when flood waters recede from roadways and debris is cleared.
“Energy Queensland has 125 generators available, 35 mobile generators, four high voltage units, and three mobile substations to assist with the restoration of power,” he said.
3.25pm: Around half of Queensland’s cane crop and more than 1150 farming families and around half of Queensland’s crop are in the path of TC Debbie.
CANEGROWERS members in the Burdekin, Proserpine and Mackay regions have been working over the past few days to secure their homes, sheds and farm equipment ahead of the heavy rain and high winds the cyclone will bring over the coming 24-36 hours.
“This is a situation our members have faced before and CANEGROWERS has faith in the resilience and resourcefulness of our farming families to remain safe,” CEO Dan Galligan said.
“Our thoughts are with them as the cyclone approaches.
“These three regions harvested around 17.5 million tonnes of cane last year, around half of the 35 million tonne Queensland crop,” Mr Galligan said.
“This year’s crop in the ground in those regions would be of a similar size and would be worth $1.1 billion dollars as raw sugar.
“We are expecting to see a lot of the cane lying flat after the cyclone has passed through – how it responds will depend on the amount of rain that falls and the impact of the tidal surge expected along the coast.
“If the cane is not snapped or underwater for too long, there is a chance of a full recovery.”
3.10pm: The latest forecast tracking map for TC Debbie, issued by BOM at 3pm.
2.58pm: Charters Towers is “calm and prepared” for TC Debbie, Member for Dalrymple said.
Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth says the Charters Towers region is calm and prepared for TC Debbie.
Speaking after a Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) this afternoon, Mr Knuth said the mood was “alert but not alarmed”.
“No one is panicking but everyone is taking the threat very seriously and putting their response measures in place,” Mr Knuth said.
The hospital has adequate capacity for extra demand, and the police and SES are set up ready to go, with an extra officer deployed to Pentland today.
The PCYC has been set up as an evacuation centre, which will be catered by Lions, and the Arthur Titley Centre has been booked as a recovery hub.
Mr Knuth has been in regular contact with the Ministers for Emergency Services and for Energy, as well as Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor, to discuss the pending need for resources.
“I will continue working closely with everyone, especially the LDMG, to ensure the region is prepared and adequately resourced ahead of Cyclone Debbie,” he said.
2.56pm: Mackay Regional Council has issued emergency alerts for a storm surge.
2.43pm: Here is a full list of schools and early childhood education and care services closed on Monday 27 March 2017 due to TC Debbie.
2.40pm: Mackay Airport has now entered stage four of its cyclone plan.
2.25pm: Daydream Island Resort has issued a statement as it bunkers down to see out TC Debbie.
2.19pm: BOM will issue tracking maps hourly from now until TC Debbie passes. Next one due at 3pm.
2.11pm: BOM is predicting widespread river level rises and major flooding.
2.09pm: Messages from the Regional Harbour Master for Townsville and Mackay/Whitsunday regions.
2.03pm: Check out the latest forecast tracking map for TC Debbie.
2.00pm: Queensland Health’s aeromedical system is ready to respond when needed.
1.55pm: GIVIT is already in the red zone and preparing to help when the storm passes.
1.45pm: The latest advice from the BOM Queensland.
1.40pm: Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill says residents must remain vigilant despite BOM advice that Tropical Cyclone Debbie is headed further south.
1.32pm: Fairfax Media’s Kelly Butterworth spots powerlines down on Stockroute Rd, South Mackay. Authorities have been advised. Please take note and stay safe.
1.25pm: George Christensen MP is reporting that his email and mobile service has gone down in Mackay.
1.21pm: In true Queensland style, there are plenty of people enjoying a laugh at Debbie expense. Or, in this case, Senator Pauline Hanson’s expense.
1.03pm: Fairfax Media’s Kelly Butterworth is on the ground Mackay.
12.56pm: Residents are being warned about the threat of the king tide in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
12.40pm: How do cyclones get their names?
The history of naming tropical cyclones goes back to 1887 and has an interesting Australian origin.
12.38pm: Rain is closing in on Mackay.
12.27pm: A sentiment shared by all Queenslanders.
12.13pm: Organisers have advised that the Case IH StepUP! 2017 conference, due to be held in Mackay this week, was cancelled this morning. Acting Next Gen officer Gerard Puglisi said at this stage, the conference will be rescheduled for next year. Full story here.
12 noon: Check out this shot of Cyclone Debbie from space.
11.50am: Townsville Airport has stop all operations.
11.45am: Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth will be attending a Charters Towers Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) meeting at Charters Towers Regional Council at 1pm today.
The meeting will discuss the potential impacts of Tropical Cyclone Debbie will follow on from a meeting yesterday when it was announced the LDMG was now in ‘stand up’ phase.
Mr Knuth has been in regular contact with the Ministers for Emergency Services and Energy, as well as Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor, to discuss the pending need for resources.
“I will continue working closely with everyone, especially the LDMG, to ensure the region is prepared and adequately resourced ahead of Cyclone Debbie,” Mr Knuth said.
11:40am: One Bowen resident has a strong message for Cyclone Debbie.
11.30am: An Emergency Alert has been issued for a storm surge from the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group.
Evacuations are directed in the Whitsunday Regional Council area for the Red, Orange and Yellow Zones from Dingo Beach north to Cape Upstart including Bowen.
Evacuations are also recommended for the Yellow Zone south of Dingo Beach including Airlie Beach and surrounds.
Residents in these areas should warn neighbours, secure belongings and seek safe shelter. For more information listen to local radio or visit www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au
11.20am: Department of Transport and Main Roads are preparing for Cyclone Debbie to hit, closing some stores around Queensland.
11.10am: Townsville Local Disaster Management Group advise locals to remain vigilant and aware that conditions could change that may affect Townsville.
11am: The Bureau of Meterology has announced Cyclone Debbie has upgraded to a Category 3.
Sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.
Cyclone Debbie is estimated to be 375 kilometres east of Townsville and 250 kilometres east northeast of Bowen moving southwest at 7 kilometres per hour.
Gales are now occurring at the Whitsunday Islands, and are expected to extend to the exposed coast and islands elsewhere between Ayr and Mackay this morning and early afternoon.
Gale winds could extend to remaining coastal and adjacent inland areas between Townsville and St Lawrence later today before potentially extending further north to Cardwell and further west to inland locations such as Charters Towers, Pentland and Mount Coolon on Tuesday.
Destructive winds with gusts over 125 km/h may develop about the exposed coast and islands between Cape Upstart and Mackay during the afternoon.
The very destructive core of tropical Cyclone Debbie is forecast to cross the coast between Townsville and Mackay on Tuesday morning with wind gusts potentially to 240 km/h near the centre of the system.
Abnormally high tides are expected to occur along the coast between Proserpine and Mackay on the high tides today.
10:50am: The Mackay Local Disaster Management Group has been activated.
Here is an update from chair, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson.
10:40am: SeaLink Queensland in Townsville has ceased operations today due to the threat of Cyclone Debbie.
Based on the latest forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology, SeaLink Queensland advised it would not be running any services Monday March 27 until further notice.
The Breakwater Terminal in Townsville will remain open today until 12 Midday, before also closing.
Sealink said this allowed them to safely secure vessels and the terminal building this morning.
“This will ensure our staff can safely return to their homes before the expected 100km/hr winds will start to be felt.”
10:30am: Queensland Police have also addressed the media.
10:18am: Premier Annastacia Palaszcuzk has addressed media saying they are tracking Cyclone Debbie further south and the government will do anything to protect locals.
“Home Hill down to Proserpine have been evacuated and we are encouraging families to listen to experts advice,” she said.
“Shelters are open at Bowen and Proserpine and can take up to 700 people.
“The window of opportunity is closing so people in this area need to act now.
“In relation to power over 800 people from Energy Queensland are ready to restore power as it is lost.
“People should prepare now and make sure items are charged including mobile phones.”
Premier Palaszcuzk said three freight trains had delivered food ready to stock shelves and extra ambulance officers were on standby.
The Bruce Highway currently remains open but is expected to close later.
10am: Residents living in the Cape Cleveland area including Cungulla and Cleveland Palms of Townsville have been directed to evacuate.
9.45am: Premier Annastacia Palaszcuzk is expected to make an announcement about Tropical Cyclone Debbie shortly.
9.40am: They are bunkering down on Hamilton Island as winds and rain intensifies.
8.30am: An emergency evacuation alert has been issued by the Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group, for Alva Beach, Groper Creek, Jerona, Wunjunga and some areas of Rita Island.
Monday, 7.30am: Schools, ports and beaches were closed, residents were evacuated and a large-scale sandbagging operation continued on Sunday, as Tropical Cyclone Debbie closed in.
Monday, 7.40am: Tropical Cyclone Debbie is a category two intensity and is expected to reach land early Tuesday morning.