Trees are down, the streets are empty and the rain is blowing sideways as Bowen waits for Cyclone Debbie to hit.
Whitsunday Mayor Andrew Wilcox said the wind started to pick up significantly about 7am (AEST) on Tuesday as the severe category four storm moves towards the coast.
"Outside it is just pouring horizontally, the rain is falling sideways, the trees look like they're in a disco, and it hasn't even arrived yet," he told AAP.
"It's still 100 kilometres away and the wind is getting very strong ... we've got plenty of places to hide in the house if it gets a lot worse."
Mr Wilcox said the region was in lockdown, with more than 300 people in shelters in Bowen and Proserpine.
About 10,000 people are without power, and the State Emergency Service has already received almost 100 calls about fallen trees and leaking roofs.
"Most houses are built to withstand cyclones but the problem is people don't maintain their homes and so when they hit, they suddenly find their roofs are leaking water," the mayor said.
He had received numerous offers of support from all levels of government to help with the clean up once the storm had passed.
"In a bad situation I couldn't ask for better support," he said.
Further south at Airlie Beach, local councillor Jan Clifford said she'd seen more cyclones than she cared to count during her 23 years in the region.
"Debbie is one mean, big bitch," she said, laughing.
"It is what it is - we live in tropical Queensland and cyclones are a way of life.
"You've got to keep your sense of humour about it, because if you don't laugh you will cry."
