Locals keep sense of humour as Cyclone Debbie bears down on Queensland

THEY do things differently in Queensland. They might be staring into the eye of the storm but many see it as chance to party.

THEY might be bracing for the worst cyclone since Yasi, but Queensland locals have not lost their spirit with many determined to keep smiling though the storm.

With the cyclone now upgraded to Category Four and 25,000 people ordered to evacuate Mackay, locals in other parts of Queensland said bottleshops and supermarkets have been flat out.

“We’ve been doing a roaring trade,’’ one Cannonvale bottle shop worker told the Cairns Post.

“It’s bigger than New Year’s Eve. Everyone is stocking up like it’s the end of the world. This is going to be one wild cyclone party.”

Honeymooners Christian and Renee Zelvis, of Sydney, celebrated in an infinity pool at Pinnacles Resort resort on Airlie Beach.

“We’re watching you Debbie,’’ Mr Zelvis laughed.

“We might even call our first child Debbie. To my little baby Debbie.

“It was a disaster for our wedding guests who had to get back home. But we’re going to have a howler of a good time.’’

Nathan Henderson, 35, Emily Reiser, 29, Christian Zelvis, 36, Renee Zelvis, 33, and Kelly Zelvis, 26, are determined to party through the storm. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Newly weds Christian Zelvis, 36, and Renee Zelvis, 33 of Maroubra, joined by family and friends defy cyclone Debbie and continue to enjoy their honeymoon at Airlie Beach. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Meanwhile Bowen man Graham Wilson spray-painted his face with a message to make people smile.

“Cyclone Debbie bring it on Bowen is not a pussy town do your best you got,” he wrote in giant letters.

“Everybody’s on edge,” he told The Brisbane Times.

“It’s basically to put a smile on people’s faces. Bowen’s a lot bigger than Cyclone Debbie so give us what you’ve got.”

Graham Wilson painted this storm on his fence on Monday in Bowen. Picture: AAP Image/Sarah Motherwell

He said the town is not full of ‘pussies’. Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Others took to social media to get some lighthearted relief from the storm saying it was not yet bad enough to “risk gluten free bread”.

"Cyclone still isn't bad enough to risk gluten free bread" #CycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/35bCnKeWPd

— Gina Rushton (@ginarush) March 26, 2017

Hope these boxing #kanagaroos at #CapeHillsborough bunker down. #CycloneDebbie is set to cross between there and Ayr as a Cat 4 2moro AM. pic.twitter.com/7LGo1XYBDX

— Lisa Herbert (@MsLisaHerbert) March 27, 2017

#Straya.

Debbie has been upgraded to a Category 4.

Cab drivers in Townsville, Mackay, the Whitsundays and Ayr have offered to evacuate locals for free in conjunction with the SES.

Meanwhile Hamilton Island housekeepers, Felicity Guy, 23, and Tessa Duscher, 24, also told the Cairns Post they would party through the storm.

“We can’t get out. So we may as well get on it,’’ Ms Duscher, of Victoria, said.

“We’re going to go to a cyclone party to do some drinking and then we’ll go back to a friend’s house to sit it out.’’

Tasmanian couple Adam Murray, 29, and Micaela Cappelli, 24, plan to spend the night in their campervan which they’ve tied to a tree at Cannonvale.

“It is fairly well anchored but it’s going to be a wild night.’’

Follow the latest on Cyclone Debbie at news.com.au.