New warnings for life-threatening flash floods as Queensland smashed by rain

Residents in North Queensland are being told to prepare for life-threatening flash floods as more wild weather hits the area.

After a heavy day of rain yesterday, Townsville is forecast to receive another 140mm and Cairns could cop 100mm of rain in just one day.

Last night 7000 homes and businesses lost power across the state, predominantly in Mount Isa.

The worst of the rainfall is set to hit in the next two days, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Parts of western Queensland could suffer 300mm of rain, with multiple flood warnings put in place by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), including on the coast and in the interior.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the state is prepared.

"I want to give people assurance that we've done a lot of work to pre-prepare for the disaster season," he said.

QLD Premier David Crisafulli has said that Queensland is in good standing ahead of the wild weather conditions set to rock the state.

"That really puts us in good stead and I am very confident about the way that we can handle events, both this one and in the future.

He also said the full impact the weather has had on farms is still unknown.

"There are certain areas that have had very large rainfall, and the impact on cattle will be determined in the days ahead," he said.

"It appears that the stock go into the event in a much better condition than they did in 2019.

Residents are being urged not to enter floodwaters, including when in cars.

"Many people will remember those images from 2019. They were harrowing.

"At this stage, it appears that the impact on stock will be far less than 2019.

"Obviously, there will be individuals that are impacted massively."

Residents in north-western Queensland, including Julia Creek and Cloncurry, are being warned the potential for flash flooding is so severe, it could be deadly.

Meteorologist Shane Kennedy said the worst of the rainfall was about to hit the state.

"We expect the bulk of the rainfall to be over the next two days… with heavy to intense rainfall across a broad area of northern Queensland.

"Around the Mount Isa region, the annual rainfall is typically around the 400mm to 500mm mark, and we're quite likely to be seeing that over just a week or two."

The massive downpour is being caused by a monsoon trough that is set to linger over northern Queensland for several days, with strong coastal winds also contributing to heavy localised rainfall in areas such as Bowen and Cooktown.

There is the chance this flood could be record breaking, with Mission Beach already recording its biggest downpour after 360mm fell in just 24 hours.

The weather is already causing roads to be closed, with authorities urging people not to drive in floodwaters.

"At the moment, there are 37 roads across the state that are out of action in different sections, and that shows you the impact across a large area of north and northwest Queensland," Crisafulli said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said five areas in particular would be heavily hit, and that Minister for Regional Australia Kristy McBain would meet members of the Queensland government today.

"Cloncurry, Carpenteria, Flinders, Mckinley and Richmond, are currently suffering," he said.

"There is a major flood watch on the Flinders River," he added.

The Queensland Premier urged people to use the Queensland government's official disaster website rather than Google Maps for information on road closures.

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