Norfolk Island is preparing for the highest wind gusts it has ever recorded with Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle intensifying to a category three system this morning.
It is expected to remain well off the Queensland coast but has picked up speed as it heads towards the island, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The system is currently about 600 kilometres north-east of Bundaberg, travelling at 36 kilometres an hour, up from 15 kilometres an hour from yesterday.
The island's emergency controller George Plant said generators have been fuelled up in case the high winds knock the power out.
"We are making preparations for wind gusts between 120 and 140 kilometres an hour over the island, which is higher than the highest wind gusts we have ever recorded here," Mr Plant said.
"We are going through the procedures to make sure the emergency generators are fuelled up. Ready to go, should the power come down," he said.
They are also looking at setting up an evacuation centre for people who feel vulnerable or whose properties get damaged.
The cyclone is expected to pass close to the island late on Saturday or early Sunday. It will gradually weaken before moving towards New Zealand's North Island.
No cyclone-proof shelter on the island
Mr Plant said he believes the island can withstand the severe system.
"We are concerned but think we should be able to manage it at that level," Mr Plant said,
"Should it get any stronger, then we'll be expecting more damage."
Kate Lemerle from the island's Red Cross said there was no cyclone-proof shelter.
"I know some communities have cyclone-proof emergency shelters built for them," she said.
"It is one of the things that we are pushing for Norfolk Island," she said.
Ms Lemerle said people were feeling a spectrum of emotions as the storm approaches.
"You'll get some people who are very busy scurrying around and getting their homes and getting themselves organised," she said.
"Others who are quite convinced that it will steer off in some other direction and not bother us at all."
Norfolk is 1,500 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, and is administered by the Commonwealth although the Queensland government provide health and education services.
It has a population of about 2,200 with about 500 visitors currently on the island.
The hospital on Norfolk Island only has 12 beds, but a Queensland Health spokesperson said staff are ready to assist with the cyclone response if required.
"Existing disaster management plans include the ability to deploy staff, supplies and temporary facilities and transport patients, depending on what the affected community may need," the spokesperson said.
Approximately 49 cyclones have passed within 500 kilometres of the island between 1969 and 2010, according to BOM.
Powerful swells on exposed coastline
BOM senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said Queensland's exposed eastern coastal areas were likely to see large waves and strong winds over the coming days, with hazardous surf likely to continue into the weekend.
"It [the cyclone] is likely to increase in speed over the next 24 to 48 hours as it moves over the central and southern Coral Sea.
"There’s likely to be large and powerful swells in play.
"The main risk with this system in Queensland will be the hazardous surf conditions along the south-east and along parts of the Wide Bay coast as well, particularly south of Agnes Waters."
Surf's up at Bargara
Along the Queensland coast, surf instructor Keith Drinkwater said Mon Repos and Kelly's Beach were the pick of the breaks for surfers near Bundaberg with waves peaking around 1.5 metres at Bargara.
But he warned surfers to be wary of conditions.
“Check your leg ropes and string attachments because a few have busted fins out and broken ropes because the force of the water has been a bit different to the past few months," he said.
Mr Drinkwater said the surf would ease off as the cyclone drifted behind Fraser Island.
Surfer Josh Knight paddled out into the swell at Alexandra Head on the Sunshine Coast where bigger waves are expected tomorrow.
"The general rule of thumb is if you have any doubt of whether you can go out — don't.
"Tomorrow and Sunday, there's going to be a lot of water moving about.
"And if you can't handle yourself in conditions like that you're going to create problems for lifeguards and people around you."
