Queenslanders have woken up to assess the extent of Cyclone Debbie's destruction, which has weakened to a tropical low.
What we know
- Residents have woken up to fallen power lines, uprooted trees and blocked roads.
- More than 63,000 homes and businesses still without power.
- No deaths and few reports of injuries.
- Authorities have received 600 calls for help but the number could rise to the thousands.
- Around 200 tourists remain stranded on Daydream Island.
- Some isolated communities are still out of contact.
- Two fishermen have been rescued after their boat ran aground.
- Over 1000 emergency and defence personnel are set to enter the disaster zone.
- The Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says economic losses are huge.
What are the current dangers?
The Bureau of Meteorology downgraded Cyclone Debbie to a tropical low but weather conditions remain severe.
- aging winds and heavy rain continue to lash the Central Coast, Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields districts.
- Widespread falls of up to 250mm are expected, with flash flooding possible in areas including Mackay, Yeppoon and Emerald.
- Major river flooding is likely from Ayr to as far south as the NSW border.
- Mackay's Pioneer River could break its banks but homes are not expected to flood.
- High tides could exceed yearly maximums.
