THE AUSTRALIAN: FAR-NORTH Queenslanders in low-lying areas have been warned to leave their homes immediately, as Cyclone Yasi bears down on the region.
Premier Anna Bligh told residents there was a closing window of opportunity for people to get out of the coastal, low-lying areas.
"There is still an opportunity for you to move to a place of safety," she said, after a disaster management meeting this morning.
"I cannot say in the strongest possible terms, you have to take this opportunity now. It will close in the next three hours."
Army personnel are door-knocking areas in Queensland's northern capital of Townsville, where the latest modelling shows an increased storm surge from the category five cyclone.
"The next 24 hours is going to be, frankly, a very terrifying 24 hours for many people," she said.
"Now is the time for people to prepare themselves and their families and their children mentally for what they are about to experience."
She urged people to prepare for very loud wind noise, torrential rain and a loss of power and phone access. >>> Roseanne Barrett | Wednesday, February 02, 2011
WA TODAY: Yasi already causing damage in Innisfail >>> Staff reporters | Wednesday, February 02, 2011
