The full impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie has been revealed as north Queensland residents wake up to fallen power lines, uprooted trees, blocked roads and boats wrenched from their moorings.
Roads have been cut off at Bowen, Airlie Beach and Proserpine, and the Bowen Highway is closed in both directions in parts due to flash flooding, causing havoc for emergency services.
The State Emergency Service has so far received more than 800 calls for help, with the number predicted to skyrocket as more people obtain phone connection.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk added there were few reports of injuries so far in areas like the Whitsunday islands and Bowen.
However more than 63,000 people are without power and the premier has urged residents to be patient, as authorities work to restore power and clear roads.
IN PICTURES: See the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie's destruction
"We don’t want any complacency. If you don’t have to be on the roads until Friday, please stay off the roads," she said.
Whitsunday Regional Council mayor Andrew Willcox described the cyclone-ravaged area of Bowen as "like a war zone".
"The beautiful seaside town is now half-wrecked, but we will rebuild," he told the TODAY Show.
At Airlie Beach, boats were used to access the town today.
Video from the nearby town of Shute Harbour have emerged revealing the sheer devastation caused by the storm, with roofs ripped off buildings, countless trees uprooted and debris strewn across roads.
The tiny town of Collinsville also saw roofs torn off homes and off its local pub.
"Collinsville did receive Category 2 winds last night and, as people have been reporting, it was one of the most horrific nights of their life," Ms Palaszczuk said.
The premier said Debbie caused vast losses, particularly in the farming and tourism sectors, with resorts on the Whitsunday Islands suffering severe damage.
"There's substantial, structural damage on Hamilton Island and also damage on Daydream Island, where about 200 guests and 50 to 60 staff are safe but running out of water," she said.
Amid the maelstrom, the premier revealed a baby had been safely born in the Whitsundays.
READ MORE: Healthy baby girl delivered at Proserpine ambulance station
The storm was weakened to a tropical low at 3am AEST but winds of up to 85km/h are still being felt, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
Heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and abnormally high tides have been forecast for the central coast, Whitsundays and the Central Highlands and Coalfields districts.
Areas in the state’s southeast are set to be drenched as the system tracks south into New South Wales.
READ MORE:Severe weather warning for NSW as remnants of Cyclone Debbie track south
Authorities are monitoring catchments between Ayr and the border in anticipation of river flooding.
Australian Defence Force troops will join emergency crews in the hardest hit areas today, in what Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called "the biggest pre-deployment of the Australian Defence Force in advance of a natural disaster".
For the latest weather warning, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
With AAP.