Damage bill for Cyclone Debbie to run into the billions

The damage bill for Cyclone Debbie is expected to run into the billions, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.

The damage bill arising from Cyclone
Debbie could run into the billions.

Ms Palaszczuk said it would be a few weeks before the final cost was known, but it was expected to be "in the billions”.

"I mean, undoubtedly, this has had a huge impact right across this state, we've got roads down, we've got bridges down, we've got families that have lost everything," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The farmers, the crops to our state, the produce, in relation to the coal ... the problem at the moment is the line from Blackwater.

"We've got coal ships waiting off the Port of Mackay, ready to go, the coal does need to dry out but as soon as that repair job is done to the railway network, it should be open for business, back to normal."

Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there were still three people missing in Queensland, with authorities holding grave fears for them.

Read Felicity Coldwell’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Damage bill for Cyclone Debbie to run into the billions.”