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Cyclone Debbie's Path Of Destruction, In Pictures

The Category Four system has wrecked havoc on northern Queensland.
Cyclone Debbie has taken its toll on northern Queensland.
Newspix via Getty Images
Cyclone Debbie has taken its toll on northern Queensland.

The full extent of Cyclone Debbie's path of destruction is now becoming clear as emergency crews make their way to the worst affected areas.

Roads are still closed to many coastal communities due to flash flooding. At least 63,000 homes are without power, while others have no water supply.

While authorities' worst fears of a huge storm surge wrecking havoc on low-lying communities were avoided, wind gusts of up to 270km/h have caused widespread destruction.

In Bowen, near where the Category Four system made landfall just after midday Tuesday, roofs were ripped off homes, walls were torn away, street signs scattered the streets and huge trees were ripped from their roots.

Cyclone Debbie has ripped the roof off this house in Bowen and relocated it to the front yard.
Fairfax Media / Brian Cassey
Cyclone Debbie has ripped the roof off this house in Bowen and relocated it to the front yard.
A 'Keep Left' sign flies down the street after being ripped from it's post by the Category 4 winds.
Newspix via Getty Images
A 'Keep Left' sign flies down the street after being ripped from it's post by the Category 4 winds.
Bowen was deserted on Tuesday morning as residents took shelter.
Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Bowen was deserted on Tuesday morning as residents took shelter.

Sky View Units in Bowen has lost part of its wall, windows are smashed in and there is glass everywhere, but manager Shane Burling says he is surprised the damage isn't worse:

Sky View Units in Bowen is missing a wall.
Fairfax Media / J Brian Cassey
Sky View Units in Bowen is missing a wall.
The town's Squash Centre was also badly damaged.
Fairfax Media / Brian Cassey
The town's Squash Centre was also badly damaged.

A plane was overturned at Bowen Airport:

Fairfax Media / Brian Cassey

Hamilton Island was one of the worst hit by Cyclone Debbie, with residents enduring more than 36 hours of destructive winds and torrential rain.

Buildings on Hamilton Island have been badly damaged.
Facebook / 7 News Brisbane
Buildings on Hamilton Island have been badly damaged.
Palm trees stripped of their branches on Hamilton Island.
Facebook / 7 News Brisbane
Palm trees stripped of their branches on Hamilton Island.

The beachside holidaymaker's haven, Airlie Beach, was one of the first places on mainland Queensland to be battered by Debbie.

A ship thrown onto the rocks near the marina during Cyclone Debbie in Airlie Beach.
Newspix via Getty Images
A ship thrown onto the rocks near the marina during Cyclone Debbie in Airlie Beach.

Shute Harbour near Airlie Beach was devastated by the cyclone, its boat terminal gutted, boats which lost their moorings smashed on rocks or dragged ashore and debris littering the foreshore:

This huge tree was ripped out by its roots at Airlie Beach:

Airlie Beach
Fairfax Media / Brian Cassey
Airlie Beach

The wild weather also took its toll on native wildlife:

A battered and weathered Cockatoo stands amongst fallen branches in Airlie Beach.
Newspix via Getty Images
A battered and weathered Cockatoo stands amongst fallen branches in Airlie Beach.

Some people braved the elements and ventured outside on Tuesday morning, despite authorities warning everyone to stay indoors.

Bowen saw sustained winds of over 100km/h before Cyclone Debbie made landfall at midday, bringing wind gusts of up to 260km/h.

Fighting the elements in Bowen on Tuesday morning.
Newspix via Getty Images
Fighting the elements in Bowen on Tuesday morning.
Local Bob Morton battling the wind in Bowen.
Newspix via Getty Images
Local Bob Morton battling the wind in Bowen.

Others took shelter inside to watch the cyclone's approach:

Local business owners Roger Matakamikamica and Tyler Matakamikamica watch Cyclone Debbie's approach in Bowen.
Newspix via Getty Images
Local business owners Roger Matakamikamica and Tyler Matakamikamica watch Cyclone Debbie's approach in Bowen.

Others bunkered down in evacuation centres in Ayr, Bowen, Proserpine and Mackay:

These kids don't seem too worried about the imminent 270km/h winds.
PETER PARKS via Getty Images
These kids don't seem too worried about the imminent 270km/h winds.
Backpackers shelter at an evacuation centre in Ayr as Debbie builds offshore on Tuesday.
Fairfax Media / Jorge Branco
Backpackers shelter at an evacuation centre in Ayr as Debbie builds offshore on Tuesday.
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