Queensland's premier is warning residents of low-lying areas on the state's north coast that the window of opportunity to evacuate is about to be slammed shut by Cyclone Yasi.
'People in any of those areas that might experience flooding...this is their absolute last chance', Premier Anna Bligh said.
She said it wasn't even worth packing a bag - people should just leave.
To keep up to date with warnings, stay on track with the Queensland Police via Twitter and Facebook.
Twenty feet above the normal high tide State Disaster Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Ian
Stewart said that normal high tide levels will be breached by up to twenty feet - just over 6
metres.
Bligh says the category five storm is expected to make landfall between Innisfail and Cardwell
about 10 (AEST) tonight, AAP reported.
Wind gusts of up to 300 kilometres an hour are expected, along with a devastating storm surge.
The gusts near the centre of the storm are currently being measured at 295kmh.
SMS alerts are being sent to people in the highest risk locations telling them to get out now,
and Bligh is urging them not to stop and pack a bag, just get to safety.
Authorities have told people in the danger zone to prepare a safe room, generally the bathroom or toilet, with a place to shelter if the roof blows off, bedding, a radio, food and water
supplies.
Stewart has warned emergency services won't be able to respond until about midday tomorrow, due to the dangerous weather conditions. But he said at some point, people will simply be on their own.
Bligh says hundreds of medical and emergency personnel, tradespeople as well as defence teams, are in the region and ready to respond to the cyclone's aftermath.
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