Dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible for parts of north and central Queensland with the Bureau of Meteorology warning up to 300mm millimetres could fall in some areas.
The heavy rainfall warning spans from Cardwell to Carmila and includes adjacent inland areas between Charters Towers to Moranbah.
Already 222 millimetres had fallen at Forbes Road, west of Mackay, 192mm at Calen and 190mm at Cungull, in just under 24 hours.
Water has gone over a number of roads in the region, with a family stranded on a highway north of Emerald.
The RACQ rescue chopper is flying to the area to help the five adults and four children.
The BOM warned that on Saturday between 100 to 180mm was possible within six hours and up to 300mm in 24 hours in some isolated areas.
However, on Sunday and Monday similar falls could be recorded: up to 250mm within six hours and 400mm within 24 hours, most likely about the ranges and coast.
“Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is also possible north of Bowen from later today, gradually extending over the remainder of the warning area during Sunday,” it said in a statement.
Forecaster Felim Hanniffy said the bureau was expecting days of very wet conditions particularly focused along the central coast.
“River systems are likely to expand very, very quickly given the saturated conditions so just stay up-to-date regarding the situation,” he said.
“It’s a dynamic one and likely to change pretty quickly.”
Uncertainty around cyclone
Mr Hanniffy said a weak tropical low could potentially form off the Queensland coast this weekend.
He emphasised that most models suggested that low would be “well off the Queensland coast”.
“Some of the models indicate that later in the week as we go towards the mid-to-latter part of next week that any potential tropical low that develops is likely to pull off the coast and then potentially further develop,” Mr Hanniffy said.
“But too early to say whether this system will develop into a cyclone late next week, a lot of uncertainty around that.”
Local crews ready
Mackay region Deputy Mayor Karen May said the local disaster management group was on alert.
“That means we can activate that if necessary,” she said.
The Bruce Highway had been cut in both direction on Saturday morning at Calen near Mackay, but one lane was opened by the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Central highlands Regional Council said the Theresa and Retreat Creek catchments were filling up and would eventually go over the bridge on the Gregory Highway this evening or tomorrow, putting it out of action for about 24 hours.
A Flood Watch is current for North Tropical Coast and Central Coast catchments, which include Mackay, Proserpine, Charters Towers, Bowen, Townsville and Ingham.
Mr Hanniffy said there was a significant risk of flash flooding and riverine flooding over the next two to three days.
“Further north as well away from that focal point you’ve still got plenty of potential for shower and thunderstorm activity as we go through today and the risk of some potentially severe activity there, through parts of the northern interior and gulf country,” he said.
Chief Superintendent Tony Johnstone from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has urged residents to avoid flooded roads.
“You don’t know what’s underneath, You can’t see any branches or hang-ups or if the road’s subsided. Just be aware of creeks around you,” he said.
“They may have been swollen during the week and they may come up over the weekend, yet again.
“We’ve got a lot of volunteers and staff that are prepared for this weekend. The local governments are actually watching the weather conditions.”
Flood affected Kimberley residents anger at the slower recovery and clean-up mission in Western Australia’s north
