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'Destructive' tropical cyclone Marcia hits Queensland 'Destructive' tropical cyclone Marcia hits Queensland
(35 minutes later)
A "very destructive" storm has hit the coast of Queensland, forcing evacuations from coastal communities, Australian officials say.A "very destructive" storm has hit the coast of Queensland, forcing evacuations from coastal communities, Australian officials say.
Forecasters warn Category Five tropical cyclone Marcia - with wind gusts up to 285km/h (177 mph) - is bringing heavy rain and "abnormally high tides".Forecasters warn Category Five tropical cyclone Marcia - with wind gusts up to 285km/h (177 mph) - is bringing heavy rain and "abnormally high tides".
The cyclone made landfall between St Lawrence and Yeppoon.The cyclone made landfall between St Lawrence and Yeppoon.
Separately, Category Four tropical cyclone Lam hit the Northern Territory, causing power cuts for thousands.Separately, Category Four tropical cyclone Lam hit the Northern Territory, causing power cuts for thousands.
The storm - with winds reaching 230km/h - struck Elcho Island and is moving south-west. Local residents said roofs had been torn off from a number of houses and trees uprooted. There have been no reports of injuries there. The storm - with winds reaching 230km/h - struck Elcho Island and is moving south-west. Local residents said roofs had been torn off from a number of houses and trees uprooted.
There have been no reports of injuries there, and the storm was later downgraded to Category Three as it continued moving inland.
'No panic' plea'No panic' plea
"Severe tropical cyclone Marcia, Category Five, is currently crossing the coast near Shoalwater Bay north of Yeppoon," Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said in a statement."Severe tropical cyclone Marcia, Category Five, is currently crossing the coast near Shoalwater Bay north of Yeppoon," Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said in a statement.
It said "destructive winds" would threaten communities between St Lawrence and Gladstone in the morning, and Capricornia and Burnett districts later in the day.It said "destructive winds" would threaten communities between St Lawrence and Gladstone in the morning, and Capricornia and Burnett districts later in the day.
Local residents should be prepared for an evacuation if advised by the authorities, the BoM added.Local residents should be prepared for an evacuation if advised by the authorities, the BoM added.
At a news conference, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was "a serious event", warning that "over the next few hours, many thousands of Queenslanders are going to go through a harrowing and terrifying experience".At a news conference, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was "a serious event", warning that "over the next few hours, many thousands of Queenslanders are going to go through a harrowing and terrifying experience".
"This is an important time now not to panic but to make sure you have you preparations in place," she said."This is an important time now not to panic but to make sure you have you preparations in place," she said.
A number of people from coastal areas were evacuated before the cyclone hit.A number of people from coastal areas were evacuated before the cyclone hit.
Several towns - including Mackay, Proserpine and Yeppoon, about 670km north of Brisbane - were reportedly in lockdown, establishing emergency centres.Several towns - including Mackay, Proserpine and Yeppoon, about 670km north of Brisbane - were reportedly in lockdown, establishing emergency centres.
"It's the unknown that's the worry," Yeppoon resident Beeann Busby told the Brisbane Courier Mail newspaper. "This is going to be a calamity, no doubt about that," Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said, warning that it was a "desperate situation".
"Our primary focus from this point on is the safety of all human life in that area."
Marlina Whop, an ABC reporter in Yeppoon, said there was a "horizontal rain" in the town and residents were worried about a storm surge".
"It's the unknown that's the worry," Yeppoon resident Beeann Busby earlier told the Brisbane Courier Mail newspaper.
"We've had so many close calls over the years that we've probably gotten a bit complacent but this one's looking a bit more serious.""We've had so many close calls over the years that we've probably gotten a bit complacent but this one's looking a bit more serious."
In 2013, powerful tropical cyclone Oswald hit Queensland, killing at least four people and flooding wide areas.In 2013, powerful tropical cyclone Oswald hit Queensland, killing at least four people and flooding wide areas.