Cyclone Debbie forces backpackers in Australia to evacuate

(BBC)---The storm, which forecasters expect to cause serious damage to parts of the east coast of Australia, is set to make landfall on Tuesday morning local time.

The Whitsunday Islands, Townsville and Ayr are all expected to be affected by destructive weather, which includes extremely strong wind, torrential rain and flooding.

Police officers and emergency service volunteers have been going to homes, hostels and hotels, telling people in affected areas to evacuate.

Jess Horn tweeted: "Just love being evacuated from a hostel and being stuck in a town with no way to get out because of a cyclone "

Residents are being told to stay with friends or family in areas away from the coast. But for those without anywhere to go, there are a couple of emergency shelters available as a "last resort".

Emma Reynolds shared a photograph of backpackers stocking up on supplies.

"The cyclone shelters have capacity for 800 people each and are only available to those people at highest risk from cyclone effects that have no other option," said Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Wilcox.

The Bureau of Meteorology for Queensland tweeted a forecast for the predicted path of Cyclone Debbie.

Many flights out of the area have already been stopped, with further cancellations expected in the coming days.

Jess Saunders tweeted: "Shoutout to cyclone Debbie for ruining our Whitsundays trip and causing us to evacuate Airlie beach "

In Airlie Beach, an area known for diving and sailing trips, emergency services handed out leaflets to tourists on Sunday, urging them to seek shelter elsewhere.

"A disaster is likely to happen," the notice warns.

"If you leave you evacuation until tomorrow (Monday 27 March), evacuation routes may be flooded, cyclonic winds may be occurring and you may not be able to leave the area."