At least 5500 people are being evacuated as Cyclone Debbie bears down on the north Queensland coast.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the window for people to move to safety is closing, and people must comply with evacuation orders stretching from Home Hill to Proserpine, including Bowen.
She said 3500 people had already been evacuated between Home Hill, just south of Townsville, and Proserpine, adding: "In relation to Bowen, we have extended that further. A further 2000 residents will be asked to leave."
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart warned everyone in the cyclone's path to think carefully about their safety and said one person had already died in a traffic crash in Proserpine.
"Sadly, we have just learned that there has been a fatal traffic accident near Proserpine and we believe it is associated with this weather event and it looks like a tourist has lost their life in that traffic accident," he said.
"The message is very, very clear at this stage. It is time to think very logically about your safety and the safety of your family."
Cyclone Debbie is expected to cross the coast as a severe category four storm on Tuesday morning, .
At this stage, landfall is expected between 7am and 8am, but exactly where remains unclear.
Bureau of Meteorology regional director Bruce Gunn said modelling suggested a landfall site "south of the Ayr area".
"But it is possible the crossing area could be anywhere between Townsville and Proserpine. That is the uncertainty of cyclones," he said.
The very destructive wind core of the cyclone could be about 100km wide, Mr Gunn said.
Winds in the Townsville region are expected to be worse than those recorded when category five Yasi hit north Queensland six years ago.
The storm surge Debbie will generate is also expected to cause significant inundation if it coincides with the high tide, due to peak at 9.42am.
Alongside very damaging winds and the storm surge, very heavy rain is also expected.
"Rain is going to be a significant factor as the cyclone crosses the coast. Daily totals up to 200mm will be widespread and isolated falls of up to 400mm are possible near the coast," Mr Gunn said.
"We have a flood watch for all catchments from Cardwell to Gladstone and further flood warnings as necessary, and that includes Eastern Gulf rivers."
The premier said vulnerable Queenslanders must listen to authorities, and move if they're told to do so.
"This window of opportunity to leave is drastically closing," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"I am just pleading to everyone, please, listen to authorities. I do, you must as well. This is about your safety, it is about the safety of your family and the safety of your children."
