Photo: EPA

A powerful cyclone carrying winds of up to 263km/h has made landfall in Queensland, Australia, the BBC rports.

Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm, has left at least 45,000 homes without power and damaged buildings, although it is too early to say how many.

PM Malcolm Turnbull told parliament he had activated a disaster response plan.

More than 25,000 people were urged to evacuate their homes ahead of predictions the cyclone would be Queensland’s most damaging since 2011.

The system is expected to remain for several hours after crossing the coast between Bowen and Airlie Beach.