The eye of Cyclone Debbie has made landfall along the north Queensland coastline, after the eye of the slow-moving Category Four system passed Hayman Island and hurricane-force winds battered the Whitsunday Islands.
Looks like the eye has passed over. About to cop round two of #TCDebbie. @abcnews pic.twitter.com/PdCc7sIypW
— Jonathan Hair (@JonathanHair) March 28, 2017
The Australian Weather Office says destructive winds could extend further northwest along the coast and to adjacent inland areas, including Collinsville and Mount Coolon late today and into the evening, but were no longer expected in Townsville, Charters Towers, Mackay or Sarina.
ABC reporter Jonathan Hair is sheltered in Airlie Beach and said the other side of the cyclone's eye wall had started to affect the area, with wind and rain picking up again.
Fan now hanging. Gutters ripped off patio roof in Arlie Beach. #TCDebbie @abcnews pic.twitter.com/ii9RlPd4LL
— Jonathan Hair (@JonathanHair) March 27, 2017
Tens of thousands have also been evacuated.
Source: abc.net.au
