Hitting North of Brisbane, the biggest in nearly 10 years….
Surge tides of 4 metres +
Coastal towns being evacuated ongoing for the last 12 hours
Remainder being reinforced and sandbagged..
Military and Emergency all on standby
Winds of 240+
“AN HOUR AGO | 12.05AM
Debbie smashes into coast
A massive evacuation was under way last night as Cyclone Debbie bore down on north Queensland, gathering force and threatening a tidal surge that could swamp entire towns.
More than 30,000 people were being urged to leave their homes along a vast stretch of the coastline – between Bowen and Rockhampton – triggering fears of traffic chaos as the storm makes its expected landfall about 10am (11am AEDT).
Emergency services issued an 11th-hour warning to 25,000 residents of Mackay late yesterday after the cyclone moved south and modelling revealed the potential for a 2.5m tidal surge around the low-lying sugar town.
The predicted category-four cyclone is expected to bring 240km/h winds, rainfall of up to 400mm and a maximum tidal surge of up to 4m along a 600km stretch of coast.
The destructive core of the cyclone is 100km wide and began buffeting the Whitsunday Islands about midday yesterday.”
[snip] Queensland cyclone: What to do when Cyclone Debbie hitsMadura McCormack, The Courier-Mail
4 minutes ago
‘Monster’ Debbie now Category 4
One dead as Debbie edges closer
CATEGORY 4 Cyclone Debbie is forecast to hit the coastline at 8am on Tuesday. We’ve compiled a list of emergency contact details and tips you may need during and after the storm.
Emergency contact
For storm and flood assistance contact the SES on 132 500 and in a life threatening emergency call triple-0.
Cyclone shelters and places of refuge
Bowen High School, 129 Argyle Park Dr, Bowen [Closed until after cyclone has passed
Proserpine State School, Cr Florence and Sperry St, Proserpine [Closed until cyclone has passed]
Ayr Showgrounds, 9-21 Edwards St, Ayr
Heatley Secondary College, Fulham Rd, Townsville
Townsville City Council, 143 Walker Street (basement car park)
Suncorp Building, 61-73 Sturt Street, Townsville City
Energy
If you lose power and are looking for specific information about your address you can go to the Ergon website and type in your 10 or 11 digit NMI (which can be found on your bill). Otherwise, the normal Outage Finder is accessible.
Radio
Cairns and Far North Queensland: 106.7FM
Townsville and North Queensland: 630AM
Mackay and Central Queensland: 101.1FM
Stream ABC Emergency online
Cyclone Debbie as seen from ISS
TASKS TO DO WHEN THE STORM HITS
– Make note of when you lose power so that you can gauge how long the food in the fridge will last.
– It is advised to switch off all appliances as a precaution.
– If using a generator later on, make sure it is in a well-ventilated area as it can emit Carbon Monoxide, which is deadly.
– Shelter in the strongest part of the house.
– Keep listening to local radio for updates and remain indoors until advised.
– If the building begins to break apart, immediately seek shelter under a strong table, bench, or under a heavy mattress.
– Beware of the calm eye of the cyclone. Do not venture outdoors until you have received official advice that it is safe to go outside.
[end snip]Here is a live stream link…
CP