Rockhampton prepares for Cyclone Yasi

Rockhampton prepares for Cyclone Yasi

The central Queensland city of Rockhampton is preparing for a severe tropical cyclone, warning residents to be ready for potential evacuations.

Cyclone Yasi, north of Vanuatu, is tracking towards the Queensland coast and is expected to cross anywhere north of Fraser Island on Thursday morning.

The category two cyclone is expected to intensify into a category three or four by the time it hits Queensland early on Thursday, with wind gusts of 200 to 250km/ph.

Queensland's beef capital is not taking any chances and has started preparing for cyclonic winds and flash floods after hundreds of homes were inundated when the Fitzroy River flooded in early January.

Rockhampton Regional Council's Acting Mayor Rose Swadling said to make matters worst, a high tide of 4.5 metres would coincide with the cyclone's expected crossing.

Ms Swadling said while it's not yet clear where the cyclone will cross, no one could afford to be complacent especially a city still reeling from the recent floods.

She said residents in areas such as Stanage Bay, Zilzie, Keppel Sands and other coastal communities near Rockhampton need to prepare for potential evacuation or isolation from storm surges and flash flooding.