Nearly a metre of rain has been dumped on north Queensland in recent days, with locals between Cairns and Mackay preparing for more wild weather across the weekend..
The heaviest falls in the past 24 hours have been recorded in the Far North, but also the Whitsunday region.
Some of the biggest overnight rainfall totals included 182mm at Jubilee Pocket, 181mm at Upper Finch Hatton 174mm at Cannonvale and 128mm at Dingo Beach.
Senior Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury say what today’s forecast looks like.
“Areas between Mackay and Cairns will see the risk of severe thunderstorms, which will increase the likelihood of locally heavy rain and flash flooding,” she says.
“From later Friday night, rain is expected to ramp up between Cairns and Bowen, with the risk of locally intense rain and dangerous to life-threatening flash flooding.”
Multiple roads have been closed due to floodwaters, including Cedar Creek Falls Road at Palm Grove, Barrie Lane at Eton and Barron Pocket Road at Calen.
So far there are not any serious problems due to the wet weather in Mackay according to the State Emergency Service.
Mackay SES local controller Alex McPhee is urging motorists to be careful on the roads.
“If it’s flooded, forget it,” he says.
“We really need the driving public to respect that and move forward with safety.
“If there is water over the road, don’t drive through it becuase you’re risking your life.”
SES crews are on standby in Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday and are flood boats are ready to be deployed if needed.
Locals are reminded to keep up to dates with warnings and take precautions.
