Cyclone Debbie: ‘Monster’ storm makes landfall in Australia

A powerful cyclone carrying winds of up to 263km/h (163 mph) has made landfall in Queensland, Australia.

Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm, has left at least 45,000 homes without power and damaged buildings, although it is too early to say how many.

PM Malcolm Turnbull told parliament he had activated a disaster response plan.

More than 25,000 people were urged to evacuate their homes ahead of predictions the cyclone would be Queensland’s most damaging since 2011.

The system is expected to remain for several hours after crossing the coast between Bowen and Airlie Beach.

“We are in for a long, tough day,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“The intensity and ferocity of the winds is going to be gradually increasing. Everyone is bunkered down.”

Electricity providers said it was not known when power would be restored to houses.

“We’re getting reports of roofs starting to lift, even in some of our own facilities in the Whitsundays,” said Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

One person in the region compared the winds to “freight trains coming through left and right”.

“The trees are going wild. The place is just shaking continuously,” the man, identified only as Charlie, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

BBC

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