Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tropical Cyclone Debbie is on the coast between Bowen, Proserpine and the Whitsundays as we speak. Currently a category 4 system, it is moving slowly, delivering savage, destructive winds of up to 270 kilometres an hour. It is creating a one-metre storm surge and eight-metre waves at Mackay. It is dumping large amounts of rain across much of North and Central Queensland and is expected to continue inland in the direction of Clermont, delivering heavy rain to the interior.

The danger is not contained to the north. After good rain last week in Central Queensland, which was already very wet, Flood Watch is active from Cardwell to Gladstone. Many areas within Flynn are at high risk of flooding—Gracemere and Rockhampton are in danger of serious flash flooding; Mount Larcom and Raglan are facing road closures on the Bruce Highway.

I wish to caution Flynn residents who may find themselves in difficulty to prepare their properties, but I guess this has already been done as the warnings have been out for a couple of days.

Cyclone Debbie shows us just how unpredictable the weather can be. After a very short, hot summer, many now find they have gone from drought to flooding rains and gale-force winds. I hope Debbie delivers much-needed rainfall to the areas of Flynn that missed out in the last week, but I hope it does not cause too much damage.