Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned north Queensland residents to stay inside and off the roads to allow emergency services to assess damage and respond to calls for help.

"Once this eye is passing over people will feel the opportunity to go out and have a look and they should not do that, they need to remain in place," she said.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned there was "still many hours to go" with strong winds to remain in Proserpine for the next eight to 10 hours and for the next four to six hours in Bowen.

"We are going to see the impact of Cyclone Debbie for the next three to five days as it travels down the coast," Ms Palaszczuk said.

The towns of Airlie Beach, Midge Point, Hamilton Island are still experiencing strong winds.

Early reports indicate there are more than 45,000 homes without power and severe structural damage to properties around Prosperine.

The weather bureau added there had been a close call with the feared storm surge.

The late arrival of the storm meant, fortunately, it didn't coincide with high tide, meaning only isolated areas have received inundation.

However, BoM Queensland regional director Bruce Gunn said "we are very fortunate that it didn't go higher .... we have missed out by a whisker".

The Department of Education and Training said schools in coastal and immediate inland areas from Giru in the north to St Lawrence in the south and inland to Charters Towers will remain closed until the situation is safe. Schools in Townsville will re-open on Wednesday.