Emergency alert: Prepare-to-leave warnings issued for Townsville as north Qld lashed

Prepare-to-leave warnings have been issued for six Townsville suburbs while severe weather warnings remain for regions between Cairns and Mackay as heavy rain continues to lash north Queensland.

After days of torrential rain that has resulted in road closures, flash flooding and multiple rescues, more rain is forecast through to at least Monday, after isolated areas received more than 1000mm in the past week.

The weather bureau has warned that a 550-kilometre stretch of coast, between Bowen and Cairns, can expect rain to continue in the coming days, and meteorologist Matt Collopy said on Saturday it was likely to cause dangerous, life-threatening flash and riverine flooding.

Overnight deluges brought widespread falls of 150mm to 250mm since 9am on Friday, with some parts of Townsville receiving a whopping 350mm in just 24 hours.

Almost 40 police officers have been sent north from Brisbane, with rescue boats positioned from Townsville to Cairns.

About 300 energy staff are also on standby, and the Australian Defence Force has been briefed as authorities brace for more wet weather.

A 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.

Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday could bring isolated, very heavy falls of up to 50mm to 100mm in an hour.

“That could produce dangerous and life-threatening flash-flooding,” he said.

Authorities have been door-knocking across six low-lying Townsville suburbs after the local disaster management group said flooding to second-storey floors was possible.

Rain continues to hammer an already-soaked Townsville on Saturday.Credit: Nine

Those suburbs are Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea.

An evacuation centre in Heatley is open for affected residents.

“My message to people in these areas who are on the prepare-to-leave warning, make the provisions in the event you do have to go,” Premier David Crisafulli said.

A disaster declaration is in place for Townsville and Innisfail. No lives have been lost or missing persons recorded.

An emergency flood alert was issued for Townsville on Friday night. Credit: Nine

The state’s disaster co-ordinator, Shane Chelepy, implored residents to stay alert for emergency warnings and heed the advice of authorities.

“We do not want to be rescuing you when floodwaters come up – it puts you, your family and our emergency services personnel at risk,” he said.

“This is a very serious and dangerous event, and I believe the next 24 hours will be critical.”

Flood watches are in place for the Burdekin and Proserpine rivers, and a major flood warning exists for the Haughton, Herbert, Ross, Bohle and Black rivers.

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,” Whitsundays Mayor Ry Collins said. “It’s not an unexpected issue, but one that still causes some headaches for anyone on the highway.”

AAP