Severe cyclone continues march towards far north Qld coast
Coastal residents between Cairns and Townsville are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide. (Bureau of Meterology)
Areas along the far north Queensland coast have been evacuated as one of the most severe tropical cyclones in recent history continues to track towards Innisfail.
Tropical Cyclone Larry is expected to intensify to a category 5, with winds up to 280 kilometres an hour, before crossing the coast between Innisfail and Mission Beach on Monday morning.
Evacuation centres have been set up between Ingham and Innisfail as Cyclone Larry tracks towards the coast at about 25 kilometres an hour.
Hundreds of people have voluntarily left coastal areas.
State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have been doorknocking advising other residents to leave.
Bruce Gunn from the Queensland cyclone warning centre says the cyclone is expected to make landfall about 8am AEST, coinciding with a high tide.
"We are talking seawater a couple of metres above the high-tide mark, possibly more than that, with waves on top, so this is a very serious situation we are talking about," he said.
Mr Gunn says severe weather will be experienced several hours before the cyclone reaches the coast.
"While we are saying the coastal crossing will be between 7am and 9am [AEST], the few hours leading up to that will be rather bumpy - not very nice to experience," he said.
Hospitals have been evacuated and Cairns port and airport have been closed, with all flights suspended until further notice.
Most schools are expected to be closed tomorrow.
The cyclone is expected to retain its intensity until at least Tuesday morning as it continues to push hundreds of kilometres inland.
Coastal residents between Cairns and Townsville are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has officially declared a disaster situation, allowing authorities the legal power to forcibly remove any reluctant evacuees.
Mr Beattie says authorities are also worried about hospitals and other buildings in the cyclone's path.
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