(CNN) -- The Australian state of Queensland, already hit by deadly flooding in recent weeks, is bracing for more devastation as a huge tropical cyclone rages towards its coast.
Hundreds of patients have been evacuated from hospitals in the far north Queensland town of Cairns, and residents are being told to leave their homes as category four Cyclone Yasi closes in.
The storm -- expected to pack winds of more than 200 km/h (125mph) -- is forecast to make landfall between Cairns and Innisfail after 7pm local time on Wednesday.
Experts say it will bring torrential rain and cause a storm surge of up to two meters above the usual high tide line, flooding low-lying areas along the coast.
Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Stewart warned the state faces "one of the most significant weather events" in its history.
"This is a life-threatening storm, and people need to understand that they have a final window of opportunity to self-evacuate," Stewart said. CNN
