Queensland Cyclone Debbie

Meet the storm chaser who gets a thrill from severe weather

"I was the kid that Mum used to yell out to get off the patio and stop sitting outside watching the lightning and the thunderstorms," he told ABC News Breakfast.

The freelance cameraman and passionate storm chaser has spent the last seven years chasing storms in Australia and travelling to the US to volunteer as a driver for tourist groups wanting to experience the same thrills.

Tornados are the big attraction in America and he's seen 63 in just the last few years. He also raced to meet Cyclone Yasi, which tore through Queensland in 2011.

Queenslanders evacuated as Cyclone Debbie approaches

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned the storm will be the worst since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

The system is about 400 km off Townsville and is due to intensify into a category four system and cross the coast just south of Ayr about 8am Tuesday (local time).

Evacuation orders are in place for low-lying areas in parts of the Burdekin, Whitsunday, and parts Townsville council regions.

"You're going to see people without power for some time, large trees down, roofs damaged," meteorologist Adam Blazak said.