US storm-chaser Josh Morgerman says Cyclone Debbie is ‘worst case scenario’

‘HARDCORE hurricane chaser’ Josh Morgerman has flown in from California to put himself directly in the eye of Cyclone Debbie.

Josh Morgerman

US-BASED storm-chaser Josh Morgerman has warned that Cyclone Debbie is shaping up to look like a “worst case scenario” for Queensland as it approaches landfall.

The self-described “hardcore hurricane chaser” jetted into Brisbane from California on Monday and headed to Emerald and Proserpine before bunkering down in Bowen, where he is hoping to feel the eye wall of the storm.

Today, he’s filing updates as the cyclone bears down, and has barely slept — posting throughout the night to Twitter — as Debbie inches closer.

He told news.com.au the cyclone looked like “garbage all day” but became extremely symmetrical and circular on Monday afternoon — a sign it was growing in intensity.

“The more symmetrical and perfectly rounded, the more intense it is,” he said.

“That’s a worst-case scenario, storms that are rapidly strengthening as they approach the coast … That’s a real concern and I am worried about the impact.

“A steady-state storm or a weakening one is better than one that’s intensifying as they approach the coast.”

8:35 am. Picking up... slowly. Winds strong but not destructive yet in #Bowen. 986 mb & finally dropping! #Cyclone #DEBBIE pic.twitter.com/FGoAWxz00l

— Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone) March 27, 2017

7:45 pm. Heavy, hammering rain in #Proserpine #Queensland right now. #Cyclone #DEBBIE is coming. pic.twitter.com/Z0do0ppehL

— Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone) March 27, 2017

The iCyclone founder has chased hurricanes across the US, Mexico and Asia, capturing raw data from inside the eye wall in a series of hair-raising videos seen online.

However Debbie was the drawcard for his first trip Down Under, where he’s been battling driving on the opposite side of the road and winds in the opposite direction to what he’s used to.

“I want to get right in that eye,” he said. “The air pressure in the eye is one of the most telltale signs of a cyclone’s true intensity.”

Mr Morgerman spent the afternoon stocking up on supplies and researching the best place to bed down for the storm, which is due to make landfall late Tuesday morning.

He stayed Monday night in a “creaky old roadside motel” and thanked Queenslanders for their hospitality in posts online.

Emergency services have warned those in low-lying areas near Mackay to leave and stay with friends ahead of the Category 4 storm making landfall.

Mackay police issued an evacuation order to residents and said only those with no other option should arrive at the cyclone shelter.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have warned people to prepare themselves by turning off electricity, gas and unplugging appliances. They’re also warning people to shelter in the strongest room of their homes, keep emergency kit close by and listen to the radio or watch the Bureau of Meteorology website for updates.

Despite the potential hazards, Mr Morgerman said the “number one golden rule” of storm-chasing was not to be a distraction or get in the way of emergency services.

“I’ve been in situations where I’ve rescued people … so my role is just to help and not to hinder and not to ask for help,” he said.

“This is a potentially very dangerous cyclone. People in the warning area need to take this seriously. If you’ve been in them before, don’t be fooled.

“Be in a space place, have a safe space and don’t travel around in it.”

Follow iCyclone for the latest updates on Cyclone Debbie.