Parts of the coastal Queensland town of Bowen could be flattened if Tropical Cyclone Debbie continues to intensify.
Debbie is forecast to make landfall on the state's east coast somewhere between Lucinda and St Lawrence early on Tuesday morning.
Residents of Bowen have been warned to prepare for a Category 4 system made worse by high tides and heavy rainfall.
SES controller David Thicker said most of the schools and houses in town were built before 1985 and are unlikely to withstand a powerful cyclone.
"That's what we're fearing because there's going to be substantial damage," Mr Thicker said.
"We are ready for as much as we can."
Mr Thicker said the cyclone shelter could only take 800 people from a population of 8500 with many residents in low lying areas already ordered to evacuate on Sunday, including two aged care homes.
Caravan parks, while not usually popular this time of year, have been deserted as silver nomads and holiday makers head for safer ground.
Tropical Beach owner Ernie Parker said the combination of a Category 4 cyclone and hide tide could devastate his park.
"I don't want any damage," Mr Parker said.
"But I'd rather have the place empty so I can just take care of myself."
SES volunteers and police officers have been told to bunker down as soon as wind gusts reach more than 100km/ph.
