North Queensland has been hit by torrential rain for days causing road closures and multiple rescues, with tropical lows looming off the coast.
Overnight deluges have brought widespread falls of 150mm to 250mm since 9am Friday, with some parts of Townsville receiving a whopping 350mm in that period.
The low pressure system off Cairns is unlikely to develop into a cyclone but has brought a deluge to the north tropical coast, with seven-day rainfall totals of up to 700mm in some areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned a 550km stretch of the east coast between Bowen and Cairns should expect the weather to continue in the coming days.
"Not only (Saturday), but also (Sunday) could see thunderstorms as well in those areas that could bring isolated, very heavy falls of up to 50mm to 100mm in an hour," senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.
"That could produce dangerous and life-threatening flash-flooding."
Various flood warnings are in place across the area, as a diminished cyclone threat brings plenty of rain with it.
Another low in the Gulf of Carpentaria was set to weaken but a system in the Coral Sea near Vanuatu could develop into a cyclone from Sunday.
Areas such as Townsville are already drenched with a string of social media posts claiming to have spotted crocodiles swimming in floodwaters.
Multiple swiftwater rescue firefighters sprang into action when a person was reported missing in floodwaters in Townsville's Hyde Park on Friday, but they were found safe 40 minutes later having "self-extricated from the water", said Queensland Fire and Rescue.
Emergency crews have been sent to north Queensland amid fears of "life threatening" flooding. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)
The Bruce Highway - Queensland's major arterial road - was closed on Friday north of Bowen after severe flash flooding.
"We've had a hell of a lot of rain the last 24 hours. It seems to be sort of in different areas at different times," Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins told AAP.
"It's not an unexpected issue but one that still causes some headaches for any one on the highway."
Emergency services reinforcements have been sent north in preparation for the deluge.
"We may in fact see intense rainfall across parts of this coastline over the next few days particularly between Innisfail and Ayr," the Bureau of Meteorology's Miriam Bradbury said.
"It could lead to life threatening flash flooding. Now that's more than just water moving over roads and footpaths possibly coming into your home."
On Friday evening an emergency flood alert was issued for Townsville by the local disaster management group, saying localised flooding was happening and people should be prepared to leave as conditions could change quickly.
The Australian Defence Force has been briefed on the flooding in northern Queensland. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)
Minor flood warnings were in place for the Mulgrave, Tully, Murray and Don Rivers with flood watches extending across the north tropical coast.
Riverine flooding impacts are set to continue into next week, the bureau said.
Almost 40 police officers have been sent north from Brisbane with rescue boats positioned from Townsville to Cairns and about 300 power company staff on standby.
The Australian Defence Force has also been briefed as authorities brace for more wet weather.
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