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WHILE the Shoalhaven maybe thousands of kilometres away from the areas most affected by Cyclone Debbie, there is still plenty of local interest and concern.
Eden Taurua-Capdevila, the daughter of former South Coast Register journalist Glenn Ellard and his wife Stacey is currently in Bowen, directly in the path of the cyclone.
Through Facebook she said the conditions have deteriorated a lot in the last two hours.
“Two hours ago we could walk outside but now it's far too windy and debris of trees are flying around,” she said.
Eden and her partner Luke and their two children Te'Ora, 13 months, and Amato just one month old were evacuated from their home on Sunday as it was in a red zone (storm, tide and flood zone).
“Red and orange zones were evacuated and then later on red, orange and yellow zones were evacuated,” she said.
The family has moved into a strong small unit in a safer white zone.
“We are in a small unit with the rest of Luke's family,” she said.
“There is about 15 of us in here. Our windows are all taped up.
“The worst hasn't even come to us yet but when it does we are all going to go into the laundry or bathrooms, even the wardrobes if we can't all fit. Just away from the windows.”
Another Register employee Nick Beale’s parents, Bob and Marcia and his brother Mark are at Airlie Beach.
Mark was at Airlie during Cyclone Yasi and said Debbie is definitely “stronger and more intense”.
They have reported huge wind gusts, believed to be around 200km/h and rainfall of up to 400mm in the last 18 hours.
They family has described preparing for the cyclone’s arrival, securing any loose items so they don’t become flying objects.
They lost power about 10.30pm on Monday and had made preparations including a generator, candles and food supplies.
They are staying down stairs in their two-storey home and have rounded up their pets and moved them inside.
Local swim coach Lynda Shea’s daughters Brooke and Danielle are also at Airlie
On Facebook Mrs Shea said she had “spoken to the girls”, who had “stocked up in case they lose power”.
“Because they are not right near the water they don't have to evacuate,” she said.
Three hours ago on Facebook Danielle said the conditions were “crazy”.
“Brooke is home across the road it's crazy,” she said.
“So scary!!!! We are very tired. It's going to be a long day.”
Well-known former local rugby league identities Scott and Belinda Chittleborough and their three children Emily, Sam and Eamon are north of the cyclone’s main path at Townsville.
The family, who is well connected to Nowra-Shoalhaven Touch Football and the Nowra Bomaderry Jets Rugby League Club have been in North Queensland for the past three years after Scott was posted with the army.
“We are all prepared with our emergency supplies,” Belinda said.
“So far so good. Being on the north side of it we aren't getting much yet. But all reports say the wind and rain is predicted for 7pm this evening. “
Two MRH90 helicopters from 808 Squadron at HMAS Albatross have also traveled north, based at Oakey to offer assistance with the tropical cyclone.