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Daredevil filmed kite surfing in dangerous seas as Cyclone Debbie claims first victim

Yahoo7 and agencies
Updated

While many Queenslanders are heeding warnings to leave coastal towns as Tropical Cyclone Debbie draws nearer, a lone kite surfer has been captured on camera making the most of dangerous winds.

In the highly risky act, the mad Queenslander was filmed off the coast of Bowen battling through choppy wind and surf while likely, foolishly having the time of his life.

Vision has been captured of the dangerous act. Source: 7 News

Debbie becomes a severe category 4 system, expected to intensity further on approach to the north Queensland coast. Source: BOM

The moment before this kite surfer hit the bricks. Source: 7 News

Meanwhile 31-year-old tourist has died in a two-car crash near Proserpine as Tropical Cyclone Debbie bears down in north Queensland and has since been upgraded to a category 4 as it nears the Queensland coastline.

The fatal crash happened on Shute Harbour Road at Cannon Valley around 8.10am on Monday and the woman died at the scene, while 16-year-old boy who has also in the car, was taken to hospital with minor injuries, police say.

Queenslanders have been warned not underestimate this cyclone. Source: BoM

Some residents are refusing to leave their homes. Source: AAP

It is expected to cross the coast on Tuesday morning between Ayr and Cape Hillsborough, north of Mackay, and predicted to intensify further to a category 4 cyclone.

Queenslanders in the cyclone's wide path are being told to remain safe, charge their phones, prepare medications and listen to alerts and experts.

"Listen to expert advice," Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk warned. "That is what I do."

With the cyclone's path tracking further south, the premier said residents in Townsville and surrounding areas north of the storm should not become complacent and leave before it's too late.

The winds are expected to be extremely strong. Source: Instagram

Winds and rain have lashed the Whitsunday region. Source: Instagram

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned Cyclone Debbie could have very destructive core spanning 100 kilometres.

"But what we are seeing is this window of opportunity to leave is drastically closing," the premier warned.

"As those winds pick up, it is going to be unsafe for buses to be on the road, it is going to be unsafe for cars to be on the road."

Police and SES advise a resident to evacuate a low lying area of Ayr, south of Townsville, on Sunday. Source: AAP

Police said there has already been one fatal accident on a highway in the Townsville, with a tourist losing their life near Prosperpine with severe weather playing a part creating dangerous conditions on the roads.

With the Debbie's intense core expected to thrash the coastal region for up to 12 hours, police are warning those in low-lying areas to get out fast.

Roads will close and people cannot expect emergency assistance throughout that 12-hour period and beyond.

Australian Army vehicles are seen heading south on the Bruce Highway from Townsville towards Bowen. Source: AAP


Residents have been urged not to underestimate Tropical Cyclone Debbie's potential for destruction, predicted to be the worst storm to hit the region since Yasi six years ago.

"This is going to be a nasty cyclone," Premier Palaszczuk told the media earlier on Monday.

"These wind gusts are going to be absolutely huge and my primary concern is making sure that families are safe and that they are listening to the messages."

All hands on deck as Townsville locals on Sunday got ready for Debbie. Source: AAP

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"Turn on your radio, listen to your television, read the papers. Make sure you are keeping updated with everything that is happening," she said.

Defence, SES, police, emergency service workers and power employees have already been sent into the region to get ready for Debbie's onslaught.

Locals fill up sandbags in preparation for Cyclone Debbie in Townsville. Source: AAP

"We went through Cyclone Marcia, we've learnt lessons from that. I've never seen so many officers pre-deployed before," the premier said.

"We already have fuel being transported up into that area and food stocks. Yes, we are prepared."

Tropical Cyclone Debbie is expected to make landfall on early Tuesday, becoming a Category 4 storm. Source: Bom

A cyclone is set to bear down on Queensland's north. Photo: 7 News

Bureau of Meteorology Queensland regional director Bruce Gunn said the storm would be one of the most severe cyclones to hit the mainland in recent years.

"I think you could say that Debbie's probably the most significant tropical cyclone since Yasi that we've had to deal with in Queensland," he said.

"Not so much because of its intensity, we're only predicting a category four at landfall, but mostly because of its size and extent."

The cyclone remains a category 2 off the coast of Queensland. Source: BoM

The storm is expected landfall early Tuesday, according to bureau mapping. Source: BoM

Yasi saw homes in northern Queensland ripped from their foundations and crops devastated.

The Whitsundays faced an evacuation call Sunday, as residents were told to leave low-lying areas amid fears of a storm tide.

Emergency crews and police went door to door warning Witsundays residents to leave.

Strong winds and heavy winds hit Queensland on Sunday. Photo: 7 News

They are among more than 4,000 households in the tidal surge zone and forced hundreds of people to evacuate low lying coastal areas of North Queensland.

Towns will go into lockdown once the cyclone hits and they will not be able to leave, residents were warned.


Thousands of residents have been evacuated in far north Queensland. Photo: 7 News

More than 1,000 emergency workers have converged on far north Queensland ahead of the cyclone. Photo: 7 News

Residents in the storm's path who have decided to stay are now being warned to stay indoors.

Following the fatal car accident near Proserpine Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart confirmed the dead woman was a tourist and said it appeared the crash was linked to Cyclone Debbie, which is moving towards the north Queensland coast.

He warned drivers in the region to be careful.

"People need to drive to the conditions and really think about whether they need to go outside at this point," he told reporters.

Destructive, gale-force winds are expected to develop throughout Monday with warnings of damaging heavy rains and tidal surges issued.

Residents have been told to prepare their homes for the "very destructive" cyclone. Photo: 7 News

More than 100 schools in coastal areas near Ayr to Proserpine will be closed on Monday, with parents advised to check the Education Department's school closures website or with school directly.

James Cook University has closed its campuses in Cairns, Townsville Ayr and Mackay for Monday, with Cairns expected to re-open on Tuesday.

Shopkeeper Ken Hall said he was stacking sandbags in front of his store in Home Hill north of the Whitsundays.

While some residents evacuated, others got ready to party. Photo: 7 News

"I've been in three cyclones before, but this one has made me a little nervous because it's bigger than the ones I've been in, it could be a category four and it's heading directly for us," he told the ABC.

As darkness fell on Sunday, driving rain and gusting winds gave a small taste of what lies ahead.

The town of Ayr is expected to cop the full force of the cyclone when it makes landfall.

Residents have been told to make sure they are prepared for the cyclone. Photo: 7 News

The mayor of the local Burdekin Shire Council Lyn McLughlin said the main priority is safety.

"Our main aim is to get everyone through this safely and so that we have no injuries and people need to be well prepared."

Homes have been boarded up and food and water stockpiled.

Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas cancelled many flights in and out of Townsville, Hamilton Island and Mackay.

Queensland emergency services bosses have been watching and planning - more than 1,000 workers are already in the region, ahead of the storm's arrival.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Katarina Carroll said warned people against being complacent, putting their and emergency workers' lives at risk.

SES workers are busy preparing for the massive weather system. Photo: 7 News

"We know this part of the world is quite experienced with cyclones but please do not be complacent, you have a small window of opportunity that has been repeated a number of times to act on your emergency plans," Ms Carroll said.

"Once the weather sets in, try and keep off those roads. Some of our biggest work of any response is rescuing people in dangerous waters."

The moment that Cyclone Debbie is expected to make landfall coincides with one of the largest tides of the year, with 3.65 metres expected in Bowen.

In a life threatening emergency call Triple Zero (000). For storm & flood assistance contact State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.