Far north Queensland was late last night locked down as what was picked to be one of the most powerful cyclones in the nation’s history drove gales, massive storm surges and torrential rain ahead of its expected landfall about midnight.

On Wednesday, it was classified as a category three system, strengthening as it drew nearer to the Queensland coast.
It was then upgraded even further on Thursday – to category five, and local weather experts warned that it could create dangerous storm surges, meters higher than usual.

Ita was downgraded to a category two by Saturday morning and was continuing to weaken and expected to head out to sea during the day.

Watch this video showing the storm finally hitting land:

– NZ Herald