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Queensland braces for 'huge' Cyclone Yasi
Queensland braces for 'huge' Cyclone Yasi
People in northern Queensland prepare themselves for Cyclone Yasi.
Patients are being evacuated from hospitals in the north Queensland city of Cairns as Cyclone Yasi roars closer to the Australian coastline.
Troops are flying patients to Brisbane, while residents in coastal areas are being urged to find safer locations.
Yasi is expected to hit the state as a category four storm early on Thursday, bringing a storm surge and heavy rain.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has described the cyclone as "huge and life-threatening".
"This is potentially a deadly storm and we need to take it absolutely seriously," she said.
"If you are in a low-lying or waterfront area in the danger zone and beyond, you need to relocate yourself and your family to safety."
Melissa Lovejoy was among Cairns residents receiving text messages and calls with warnings to evacuate.
"We're in the process of packing up boxes... the dogs and the pet snake and getting out of here," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
ENDS
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