Researchers declare that the biggest threat that tropical cyclone Debbie brings doesn’t come from the winds, but on the huge storm surge that can inundate low-lying coastal regions. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned that cyclone Debbie is going to be "bigger than Marcia,” which hit Queensland in 2015, and the worst since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

The agency said cyclone Debbie has a "very destructive core" as it brings gusts potentially reaching 230 km/h. The storm remains on track to cross the coast between Townsville and Proserpine on Tuesday morning.

Debbie brings winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour, with forecasts that it may reach a four-metre storm surge. David King, the director of the Centre for Disaster Studies at James Cook University in Townsville, said storm surges can result to flooding.

Deep low pressure at the eye of the typhoon raises ocean levels. Low-lying areas such as parts of the Burdekin, Whitsundays and Townsville council regions are at risk of flooding. Evacuation orders have been placed for all these areas.

Thousands of north Queensland residents evacuate as the storm bears down on the coast, while some refused to leave their homes. At least 3,500 people have opted to evacuate while another 2,000 will be asked to leave around Bowen.

Burdekin Shire Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said they are conducting forced evacuations. Police will visit residents who opt to not follow orders. "They don't understand the severity. This is a major cyclone. We haven't seen a cyclone like this," McLaughlin said.

Experts advise residents to stay safe indoors. "You're going to see people without power for some time, large trees down, roofs damaged," meteorologist Adam Blazak said.

Shelters in Bowen and Proserpine are open. However, authorities reportedly said the cyclone shelters in these areas are only for people who had no other options. Several schools from Ayr to Proserpine, as well as local points are now closed.

Graham Lawrence, a resident of beachside community of Cungulla, said he will evacuate to Townsville, in the north. "We're heading up to Townsville to stay with our son and daughter-in-law, up in Pimlico, and their place went through Yasi okay so I presume we'll get through this one okay,” he told ABC.

Mike Kennedy, on other hand, refused to leave and is staying behind with his motorbike .He thinks 40 percent of residents in Cungulla are not evacuating too, despite the advice of authorities to leave.

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