The north-eastern state, still recovering from flooding, is bracing itself for its “deadliest” storm yet when Cyclone Yasi hits the northern coast at around 10pm local time on Wednesday.

The cyclone has been upgraded to a category five storm, the highest rating, and people have been urged to leave the area if they can.

The Salvation Army has been affected by evacuations across north Queensland, with 47 clients from its homeless facility in Cairns being evacuated to a nearby primary school because of the threat of surging water.

Captain Meaghan Gallagher called for prayers for those living in the path of the storm. She said prayer was “vital” at times such as this.

“At The Salvation Army our hope and trust is in God and he tells us to pray at all times – both good and bad,” she said.

“We want to pray for safety, for perseverance and togetherness in what will be an extremely difficult time for so many people – most of whom are just starting to recover from the floods.”

Residents and shop owners have been securing their properties by taping windows and placing sandbags outside.

State premier Anna Bligh warned residents around Cairns, Townsville and Innisfall to get out while they still could.

“Don’t stop to pack a bag, just grab each other and get to a place of safety,” she said.

Winds are expected to reach 180mph, with police warning that the force would be strong enough to tear the roofs off houses. Power and communication lines are expected to be out for at least 24 hours after the storm hits.

The Salvation Army said its emergency services teams were on standby to assist people in the aftermath.