Cyclone Debbie keeps senator home

Liberal senator Ian Macdonald will skip parliament as Cyclone Debbie heads toward his home town of Ayr, south of Townsville.

Senator Ian Macdonald will skip parliament as Cyclone Debbie heads toward his home town of Ayr. (AAP)

Veteran Liberal Ian Macdonald says the Senate will have to do without him as he stays home to brace for Cyclone Debbie.

The tropical cyclone headed towards Queensland is predicted to be the worst storm to hit the region since Yasi six years ago.

Senator Macdonald says it's headed straight for his hometown of Ayr, south of Townsville.

"Thought we'd better get home and shut the windows! Senate will have to do without me!" he tweeted.

Debbie is tipped to cross the coast on Tuesday morning as a category 4 cyclone, with Defence, SES, police, emergency service workers and power employees already in the region.

Senator Macdonald has posted photos of his home with the windows taped up in preparation for the cyclone.

"Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed and pray," he wrote.