"AN HOUR AGO | 12.05AM
Debbie smashes into coast

A massive evacuation was under way last night as Cyclone Debbie bore down on north Queensland, gathering force and threatening a tidal surge that could swamp entire towns.

More than 30,000 people were being urged to leave their homes along a vast stretch of the coastline - between Bowen and Rockhampton - triggering fears of traffic chaos as the storm makes its expected landfall about 10am (11am AEDT).

Emergency services issued an 11th-hour warning to 25,000 residents of Mackay late yesterday after the cyclone moved south and modelling revealed the potential for a 2.5m tidal surge around the low-lying sugar town.

The predicted category-four cyclone is expected to bring 240km/h winds, rainfall of up to 400mm and a maximum tidal surge of up to 4m along a 600km stretch of coast.

The destructive core of the cyclone is 100km wide and began buffeting the Whitsunday Islands about midday yesterday."

[link to www.theaustralian.com.au]