AUSTRALIA – Tropical Cyclone Debbie intensified to category four as it hit the north Queensland coast yesterday morning

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned that the cyclone would make landfall between Ayr and Cape Hillsborough, north of Mackay, about midday, with wind gusts of up to 275 kilometres per hour near the centre of the system.

About 25,000 people have been told to evacuate as Cyclone Debbie intensified into a category four system. Some people have refused to leave despite warnings the destructive core could be as wide as 100km.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the storm would rival the devastating Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

“You’re going to see people without power for some time, large trees down, roofs damaged,” meteorologist Adam Blazak said.

Late on Monday, Palaszczuk urged 25,000 residents in low-lying areas of Mackay to immediately find safer ground. More than 5000 other Queenslanders were already evacuating their homes.

“The time for people to move is now,” she said.

Authorities warned the cyclone could coincide with high tide, which is expected to peak at 3.2 metres. The storm surge could add an additional four metres, Palaszczuk said.

She said this would bring dangerous risk of flooding, especially around Mackay.

“I am just pleading to everyone, please, listen to authorities,” she said.

“I do, you must as well. This is about your safety, it is about the safety of your family and the safety of your children.’’

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the weather had already contributed to the death of a woman reported as a tourist in a car crash.

Stewart warned that emergency crews would not provide help during the storm’s peak.

“It will get to an extent where all emergency services will not be able to respond to calls for assistance, because obviously, we have got to maintain the safety of our staff,” he said.

Queensland authorities have closed 102 schools, 81 early childhood education centres and two ports.

All flights have been cancelled at Townsville Airport and Mackay Airport.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Australian Defence Force would help with the cyclone response.

“Time and time again, Australians show grace under pressure, bravery in the face of danger, and rally without a second thought to help each other,” Turnbull said in parliament.

“These virtues will be on display over the next few days where Australians face the worst that nature can throw at us.”

- PNC sources