Cyclone Debbie: Farmer who recently recovered from Cyclone Yasi prepares for more devastation

A Queensland farmer has said he is still “emotional” about the devastation wreaked by Tropical Cyclone Yasi six years ago, as he prepares for the approaching Tropical Cyclone Debbie.  

Bill Bradnam and wife Elise sought refuge in the bathroom of a shed on their Mission Beach property as the eye of Yasi approached in early 2011.

“We spent four hours in the dunny and we had turns of sitting on the toilet or sitting in the deck chair,” Ms Bradnam told 9NEWS.

Read more: Tropical Cyclone Debbie- Evacuations ordered and flights grounded in north-east Queensland

They eventually emerged from their safe haven to find a scene of devastation.

“We opened the front doors, the house underneath the roof was basically gone, all our clothes, shoes, everything was gone,”  Ms Bradnam said.

“It was very emotional. I’m still emotional,” a teary Mr Bradnam added.

The couple believes their decision to abandon their home saved their lives, but it has taken them years to re-build.

Mr Bradnam said he and his wife were prepared for Cyclone Debbie – they built a reinforced steel cyclone bunker after Yasi.

“We're lucky…and we're prepared for next one that comes along.. We don't want another one,” he said.