UPDATE MONDAY 4.30PM: Around 25,000 people have been urged to leave Mackay ahead of Tropical Cyclone Debbie due to the risk of huge tidal surges for the low-lying region.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart told a press conference this afternoon of their concerns over the predicted tidal surge.

Residents in the low-lying areas of Mackay were told to evacuate towards Rockhampton which is set to cause chaos on the roads.

“Don’t wait until tomorrow because you won’t be able to move probably past midnight tonight,” Stewart said.

PORT DOUGLAS TO ESCAPE EXTREME WEATHER

Port Douglas should escape the more severe elements of Cyclone Debbie according to the latest update.

A severe weather warning for wind was issued earlier this morning for Port Douglas but the town has since been taken off the list.

As of 11am today, Cairns, Redlynch, Innisfail, Tully, Gordonvale and Babinda are being told they may experience damaging winds in excess of 90km/h tomorrow as Cyclone Debbie makes landfall between Bowen and Proserpine.

Strong and gusty westerly winds will develop during early Tuesday morning with damaging gusts in areas east of the Atherton Tablelands.

Queensland Regional Director Bruce Gunn used a press conference this morning to remind residents ‘from Port Douglas to Tully’ to expect changing conditions, but stressed the warning was ‘just for wind, not storm tides’.

“The damaging wind gusts should ease during Tuesday afternoon or evening, then redevelop during the early hours of Wednesday morning,” the Bureau of Meteorology warned.


LIVE CYCLONE TRACKER BELOW:

WHAT YOU CAN DO IN THE EVENT OF STRONG WINDS:

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

• Move your car under cover or away from trees.
  
• Secure loose outdoor items.
  
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
  
• Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
  
• For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. 

You can follow the warnings though Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219.

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