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The destruction left by Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Picture: Source: ad_nl/Instagram
QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queensland residents should brace for “shock and awe†this morning as the damage from Cyclone Debbie becomes apparent for the first time.
“I think there is going to be a lot of shock and awe in the morning,†she told Ten News on Tuesday, later admitting she was “bracing†for the dawn.
“We don’t know the extent of the damage. We don’t know what injuries there are,†she said.
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Emergency services had been pre-deployed to the region in anticipation of the devastation, but many were unable to respond during the storm itself.
Advice was for residents to simply “bunker down†for the night, staying safe and clear of windows.
A pontoon ripped from its moorings in the storm surge.Source:The Courier-Mail
Roofs have been ripped off in Airlie Beach. Picture: Ella RichmondSource:Supplied
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the slow pace of the storm — which was travelling at a walking speed of six kilometres per hour — had created a “battering ram effect†as it ploughed across the state.
“We are going to get lots of reports of damage, and sadly I think we will also receive reports of injuries, if not death,†he said.
Debbie hit the tiny town of Collinsville on Tuesday night, with the 1500 residents told there was “no time to move†ahead of the disaster.
“It’s going to be a really rough night,†Ms Palaszczuk warned. She also slammed the “appalling†behaviour of those who had been seen surfing and driving in the storm.
“To go out there into the treacherous surf is simply irresponsible. Honestly, why do you want to put your own life at risk and put the lives of others at risk?†she said.
The storm moved at a walking pace across the coast leading to a slow and steady trail of destruction.Source:No Source
The foreshore at Bowen. Picture: Evan MorganSource:News Corp Australia
Shops have been trashed on the main street of Airlie during Cyclone Debbie. Picture: Alix SweeneySource:News Corp Australia
The Premier has slammed ‘appalling’ behaviour of those surfing and driving in the storm. Picture: Airlie Beach. Photographer: Liam KidstonSource:News Corp Australia
Cyclone Debbie is the largest to hit the region since Cyclone Yasi in 2014 and could cost hundreds of millions in lost tourism revenue, insurance and clean-up.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council boss Daniel Gschwind said Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays generated about $700 million a year for the region.
He fears images of boats ripped from moorings and hotel roofs torn to shreds by the “catastrophic†storm will deter those heading there in future.
“When the images of disasters, strong winds, uprooted trees go around the world and around Australia, some people incorrectly assume that all of Queensland is shut,†he said.