Preparations are underway in the north Queensland town of Ayr ahead of Cyclone Debbie, despite the community moving slightly out of the firing line.
Debbie is now expected to cross the coast on Tuesday morning near Bowen to the south, but that doesn't mean locals are taking anything for granted.
State Member for Burdekin Dale Last said preparations are continuing despite the main body of the storm now not predicted to hit the town.
"It's still full steam ahead because you never know with cyclones, they have a bad habit of jinking around," Mr Last told AAP.
"If it should swing back around to the north then we're right in the firing line."
Shopfronts in the small town centre are being boarded up and filled with sandbags ahead of the system making landfall, with business owners also removing stock from shop windows.
Toyworld owner Chris Watt said flooding was his main concern, not strong wind, due to the sturdiness of the buildings.
"These buildings are old but really sturdy," he said.
"But I don't know how the trees outside are going to go."
Coral Coast Electrical worker Scott Heidke has been busy boarding up the windows.
"It's not going to stop the wind but the glass is pretty strong," he said
Mr Heidke said he would not be leaving his home, located 15km from Ayr.
Residents who don't feel safe in their homes are being urged to go to the refuge centre at the showgrounds.
Mr Last has repeated warnings for residents to decide whether to stay or go in the very near future.
"You should be where you need to be, and you just need to sit tight til the cyclone crosses the coast."
Cyclone Debbie is currently a Category 3 system, and is expected to intensify into a Category 4 ahead of making landfall near Bowen around 9am on Tuesday morning.
