Gillard eyes cyclone Yasi threat

Gillard eyes cyclone Yasi threat

What Tropical Cyclone Yasi could mean for the people of Queensland is on Prime Minister's Julia Gillard's radar.

Yasi is expected to cross the Queensland coast as a severe category four cyclone late on Wednesday or early Thursday, likely between Innisfail and Mackay.

Associated rain could put parts of the deluged state at risk of flooding again.

Advertisement: Story continues below Ms Gillard said she was getting regular updates on the cyclone and had spoken to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.

"We are very closely watching that weather formation and staying in touch with the Queensland government about what it could mean for the people of Queensland," Ms Gillard told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

Island resorts have been evacuated and ports closed ahead of Yasi's arrival.