newsAustralia: Thousands Evacuate as Cyclone Debbie Barrels Towards Queensland

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27 Mar

Australia: Thousands Evacuate as Cyclone Debbie Barrels Towards Queensland

Cairns (Australia) – About 25,000 people have been told to evacuate as a cyclone carrying winds up to 240km/h moves towards the Queensland coast.

Cyclone Debbie is expected to intensify into a Category 4 system before it arrives early on Tuesday local time.

Some people have refused to leave despite warnings the destructive core could be as wide as 100km.

Queensland authorities warned the cyclone could coincide with high tide, which is expected to peak at 3.2m. They closed 102 schools, 81 early childhood education centres and two ports.

All flights have been cancelled at Townsville and Mackay Airports.

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