Australia Weather News

Tropical Cyclone Debbie has made landfall on the north Queensland coast.

Here's what you need to know.

What's the latest on the storm?

The latest advice is that Debbie is about45 kilometres southeast of Bowenand15 kilometres north of Proserpine.

The eye wall of the cyclone is now impacting the mainland near Airlie Beach as well as the Whitsunday Islands.

There are 48,000 people without power in Airlie Beach, Proserpine, Bowen, Mackay and Cannonvale.

Hamilton Island Airport observed wind gusts of 263 kilometres at 10:25am and Proserpine Airport reported wind gusts of 139 kilometres at 10:22am.

Bowen Airport recorded wind gusts of 120 kilometres at 10:41am.

How can I keep up to date?

You can listen to ABC's Emergency radio on 101.1 FM (Mackay), 89.9 FM (Airlie Beach) or 630AM (Townsville) and/or keep an eye on updates via our live blog or from the Bureau of Meteorology.

JoinABC News on Facebook Messengerto follow news on Cyclone Debbie.

What's expected to happen?

A cyclone warning zone extends fromLucindatoSt Lawrence, includingTownsville,Mackay, theWhitsundaysand inland ofBowentoCharters Towers, Mount Coolon, Moranbah and Pentland.

The cyclone is tipped to bring gale-force winds and gusts of up to250kphat the core of the storm.

Homes older than those built in 1985 are not expected to withstand the strength of the storm.

High tides, known as a storm surge, are expected along the coast betweenProserpineandMackay, and those living betweenLucindaandMackayhave been warned ahead of a "dangerous storm tide".

In simple terms, a storm surge is a raised dome of water which moves to the coast ahead of and with a tropical cyclone, which can penetrate further inland than usual.

The one expected to come with this cyclone could be up to four metres high.

Is it safe to leave?

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski says people in the Bowen and Whitsunday areas, including Airlie Beach, should remain inside.

Emergency services in those areas cannot respond to calls for help.

He said people in Mackay should be off the roads. "We do have some capacity to respond at the moment if needed but that's not going to last for very long."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged residents to stay indoors. "The best place to be is in your safe place in your home. Stay there. Stay with your family close by," she said.

She said strong winds could last "well into this afternoon and to the evening".

Where are the evacuation centres?

Evacuation centres have been established atAyr Showgrounds,Bowen State High SchoolandProserpine State High School, but authorities have said these are only available for people who have no other options.

No pets are allowed, and during this time the shelters will be "locked down" as the cyclone passes.

Whitsunday Regional Council also warned evacuees may need to stay in the shelter for up to 18 hours and they will be "cramped, noisy, smelly, boring and you and your family will have little or no privacy".

In Townsville,Heatley Secondary Collegeis acting as a cyclone shelter.

Other places of refuge are open atTownsville City Council(143 Walker Street) theSuncorp Building(61-73 Sturt Street) and atNorth Shore(Iris Lane, Burdell).

What is the best way to stay safe at home?

Follow these tips from ABC Emergency:

Burdekin Shire Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said people staying at home were doing so at their own risk, and once winds got to 100 kilometres "no-one is going to come to their assistance".