A highly destructive cyclone is heading towards the Queensland coast, with weather forecasters unable to accurately predict where it will strike. Comparisons have already been drawn with cyclone Tracy, which devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974.

Cyclone Ingrid is rated a powerful category five, and has a destructive core with wind gusts up to 290 kph. The Bureau of Meteorology website lists category-five cyclones as ‘extremely dangerous with widespread destruction’.

A spokesman for the Brisbane Cyclone Warning Center said that it was unlikely the cyclone would pass through without harm if it maintains its current intensity. “She’s an extremely powerful cyclone, very rare to get a category five cyclone along the Queensland coast. If it maintains its course and hits the coast it will have a significant impact on [the] part of the coast north of Cairns, and potentially cause some significant storm tides.”

A broad section of the northern Queensland coast has been put on warning. Gales are expected to be developing between Lockhart River and Port Douglas this morning, with the possibility of destructive winds later in the day.

Residents in these areas were advised on Tuesday to use available daylight hours to make preparations, particularly protecting boats and property.

Warren Entsch, Federal Member for the far north Queensland electorate of Leichhardt, warned residents not to be complacent.