PM offers cyclone assistance

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered Queensland assistance, as Cyclone Marcia bears down on the state.

Mr Abbott says his thoughts and prayers are with the people of central Queensland, particularly those in Rockhampton and Gladstone, who were now facing the greatest impact from the catergory five storm.

"I have been on contact with the Queensland premier's office ... to let her know that the Commonwealth stands ready to offer all possible assistance to the emergency services in Queensland," he told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.

Mr Abbott said standard natural disaster recovery arrangements would be in place.

He said Australia was used to difficult and dangerous summers and it was good that this summer had passed so far without major incident.

"But this is a very serious storm and let's hope that we can get through it without too much damage and certainly without any loss of life," he said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said parts of the state were in the grip of a terrifying and potentially deadly weather event.

The cyclone has made landfall at Shoalwater Bay, about 70km north, northwest of the town of Yeppoon, where the risk is greatest.