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Australia orders evacuations ahead of Tropical Cyclone Debbie

By Andrew V. Pestano
Tropical Cyclone Debbie, a Category 4 storm system with 102 mph sustained winds, has led Australian officials to declare evacuations for about 25,000 people, mainly for those at-risk of tidal surges in low-lying areas, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said. Debbie is expected strengthen and to make landfall between Cape Upstart and Cape Hillsborough Tuesday morning. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Meteorology
Tropical Cyclone Debbie, a Category 4 storm system with 102 mph sustained winds, has led Australian officials to declare evacuations for about 25,000 people, mainly for those at-risk of tidal surges in low-lying areas, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said. Debbie is expected strengthen and to make landfall between Cape Upstart and Cape Hillsborough Tuesday morning. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Meteorology

March 27 (UPI) -- Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said Tropical Cyclone Debbie strengthened to a Category 4 storm system with 102 mph sustained winds, prompting the evacuations of about 25,000 people.

Debbie is expected to make landfall in Australia's Queensland state Tuesday. The Bureau of Meteorology declared a tropical cyclone warning zone from Cardwell along the coast to Saint Lawrence, about 430 miles away, including Townsville, Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands, extending inland to Charters Towers and Mount Coolon.

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BOM said Debbie has wind gusts of 155 mph. Debbie is expected strengthen and to make landfall between Cape Upstart and Cape Hillsborough Tuesday morning.

"Severe tropical cyclone Debbie has strengthened into a Category 4 system. It may intensify further as it continues to move west-southwest towards the north Queensland coast tonight," the BOM said in a statement. "The very destructive core of tropical cyclone Debbie is forecast to cross the coast between Cape Upstart and Cape Hillsborough (north of Mackay) on Tuesday morning with wind gusts potentially to 275 km/h [170 mph] near the center of the system."

The BOM warns of destructive winds, severe flash flooding and dangerous storm tide for Queensland residents. About 25,000 residents in low-lying areas have been urged to evacuate, particularly due to tidal surges.

"I want everyone to be safe, please don't take unnecessary risks," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a statement.

Queensland officials have closed at least two ports, 102 schools and 81 preschools. All flights from Townsville Airport and Mackay Airport were canceled.

"I am just pleading to everyone, please, listen to authorities," Palaszczuk said in a press conference. "I do, you must as well. This is about your safety, it is about the safety of your family and the safety of your children.''

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