Cyclone Debbie Weakens After Striking Australian North East Coast

Tropical cyclone Debbie is currently weakening after making landfall on the north east coast of Queensland.

The cyclone, which brought with it highly destructive and dangerous weather conditions, is expected to weaken further overnight.

Currently moving in a south-westerly direction, Debbie hit the coastal region near Airlie Beach at midday on Tuesday. Striking as a category 4 cyclone, Debbie has now weakened after hitting land, and has degraded to a category 2 cyclone.

Strong gale force winds and heavy rainfall are set to continue, as Debbie moves its way inland.

In a recent update on their website, The Australian Bureau of Meteorology, warned: “Tropical cyclone Debbie is continuing to weaken as it moves inland. It is currently a category 2 cyclone, and is expected to weaken further tonight. On Wednesday, the remnant tropical low will curve from the current south-westerly motion to a more southerly track over inland Queensland.

“Although the peak winds near the centre are weakening rapidly tonight, heavy rainfall is expected to continue across the region for the next 12 to 24 hours, gradually contracting southwards with the system.”

The FCDO warned travellers in the affected areas to “monitor the media closely, and follow the advice of local emergency services.”

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