As Cyclone Debbie whips itself into a frenzy off the northern Queensland coast, there is little for prepared locals to do but watch and wait.
Emergencies services have warned residents and tourists that they're in for the long haul, with gale-force winds expected to continue into Tuesday evening and possibly even Wednesday morning.
With widespread power outages anticipated, locals are coming up with novel ways of keeping themselves entertained.
This couple were strumming some tunes in a gift shop in Bowen on Tuesday, their gentle melody only interrupted by the background of torrential rain coming down outside:
With every cyclone there's a song to be sung. In @9news, @loftea9 speaks to the Bowen couple finding their rhythm in #CycloneDebbie. 🎸 #9News | 9News.com.au
Some people were focused on keeping their furry friends safe and comfortable:
But it would be hard to beat Shane Borgas for commitment to his pets and home.
The 44-year-old has taped up the windows to his 1981 school bus and placed mattresses against the windows, in case they smash in. But he's refused repeated requests from the police to leave the Alva Beach Tourist Park in Ayr, which is in the floodzone just metres from the shoreline.
"If it comes to it I'll go down with my ship," he told the Brisbane Times. "I can't leave my buddies."
His wife and nine-month-old son have been evacuated to Townsville.
Others were finding refuge in some unconventional places, with a local gold mine opening its doors to locals seeking shelter.
Resolute Mining allowed their staff at its Ravenswood Mine, 100 kilometres west of Cape Upstart, to take Monday off work to help locals prepare for the cyclone, according to the Brisbane Times.
"Resolute has assisted in relocating vulnerable local residents and has made the Ravenswood site camp available for anyone seeking safe shelter," the company said in a statement.
In Ayr, some locals had a strong message to send to the turbulent cyclone:
Bloody Debbie. 📷 @bondstreetblue_ #cyclonedebbie
Others tried to make light of a difficult situation:
At least this bloke can make light of a bad situation... Gotta love an Aussie sense of humour in the face of adversity! (Photo: Facebook/Tony Larsen) #9Today
Over the weekend, locals were stocking up on essential supplies in anticipation of the ferocious weather to come, with many supermarkets selling out of basics like milk and bread. But even a Category Four cyclone wasn't enough to motivate shoppers to switch from their favourite flurry loaf:
"Cyclone still isn't bad enough to risk __gluten free bread" #CycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/35bCnKeWPd
— Gina Rushton (@ginarush) March 26, 2017
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