Queenslanders have been urged not to underestimate Tropical Cyclone Debbie, which is predicted to be the worst storm to hit the region since Yasi six years ago.
"This is going to be a nasty cyclone," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told Nine 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."
She's urged people to make sure they have either moved to a safe area or finishes preparing on Monday for Debbie, which is expected to cross the coast on Tuesday morning as a category 4 cyclone.
"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 the onslaught of Debbie.
"We went through Cyclone Marcia, we've learnt lessons from that. I've never seen so many officers pre-deployed before," she said.
"We already have fuel being transported up into that area and food stocks. Yes, we are prepared."
Nine coaches have been sent to Ayr and Home Hill to take locals to higher ground in Cairns.
"So if people cannot go and stay with family and friends, I'm urging people to please hop on those buses and leave town. This is going to be very destructive winds," she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said she had spoken to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and the weekly state cabinet meeting had been postponed while the state readies for the cyclone.
Brigadier Chris Field, commander of the Third Brigade, said his team would provide critical infrastructure support and emergency response support to state and local governments as requested.
"What they need we will be ready to support them," he told Nine.
He said the brigade was prepared and ready to go.
Meanwhile, Queensland Police deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewski said people requiring help after Debbie struck would need to be patient.
"Because once the storm hits, even emergency services can't respond. They will be off the road," he said.
"It will be not until the winds ease that we will be able to get throughout and assist people."
