Far north Queensland residents told to seek higher ground as tropical low heads for coast | Australia weather

Far north Queensland residents have been told to seek higher ground as severe weather and heavy rain are warned on the way. The region continues to prepare for a tropical low to cross the coast, but many locals have been told to leave due to flooding.

Police issued an emergency flood warning for the Daintree River at 9.30pm on Thursday, saying flash flooding had already occurred and residents should move to safety on higher ground.

Elsewhere, sandbag stations have been set up as heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds are expected on Friday morning as tropical low lying roads northeast of Cairns are expected.

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The Bureau of Meteorology said up to 240mm of rain was expected to fall in a six-hour period on Friday, which could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash floods.

Local infrastructure had been affected by difficult conditions which caused the Daintree ferry to loosen from its moorings on Friday morning.

Douglas Shire mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the council and emergency crews planned to free the ship when conditions were right.

“We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding as we continue to deal with a major flooding event affecting the entire region,” he said.

A hurricane watch for the area was canceled Thursday after the system was deemed to have little chance of intensifying before hitting the coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said the “unrelated” tropical low was likely to reach the coast between Cairns and Townsville on Friday afternoon before moving southwest towards central Queensland over the weekend.

Cassowary Coast mayor Teresa Millwood said emergency services were ready to be deployed in Innisfail and Cardwell and sandbag stations were also on standby if people needed them.

He said residents are advised to prepare emergency plans, stock up on supplies and be ready to leave before their homes are flooded.

“You never know until it actually happens, but we are prepared,” he told AAP.

“Actually, we’ll just sit back and wait.”

Hinchinbrook Shire mayor Ramon Jayo said his community had been warned of heavy rain and high winds.

“There is a burden coming our way, but we are ready,” he told AAP.

“We survived a major flood last Monday and are lining up again for another.”

He said the usual warnings about flood waters were conveyed to citizens familiar with the drill.

“They’re restocking their pantries in case they get stranded for a while due to flooding.”

Hines said other parts of the state will also bear the brunt of severe weather as the system crosses the coast Friday.

The coast from Townsville to Mackay has also been marked as an area to monitor.

Severe falls were expected to continue in northern Queensland but were also expected to extend towards the Central Coast, Capricornia and Wide Bay region, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.

Hines said impacts could also be felt in south-east Queensland over the weekend.

Southeast Queensland residents have been urged to monitor forecasts for rain, particularly on Sunday.