Gale force winds are already buffeting some Whitsunday islands and authorities say Debbie is likely to damage or destroy older homes and could claim lives when it hits land. Related Content Video Cyclone Debbie barrels towards Queensland Your Views: Readers' Letters Winston Aldworth: Time for final call on uncertainty"We are making every effort in the next 12 hours to get people out." Debbie could also also cause flooding in communities inland from Bowen, including Charters Towers, after crossing the coast and degenerating into a low. Warnings are in place for residents from Lucinda to St Lawrence including Townsville, Ayr, Mackay, and the Whitsunday Islands, and inland of Bowen including Collinsville. James Cook University has closed its campuses in Cairns, Townsville Ayr and Mackay for Monday, with Cairns expected to re-open tomorrow.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 26, 2017 23:57 UTC