Cyclone Nora is forecast to intensify into a category four storm as it moves towards Cape York with heavy rain and winds gusting up to 170km/h expected.
Nora is rapidly intensifying off the Northern Territory coastline and the unpredictable system is expected to make landfall on Saturday or Sunday on Queensland's northwestern coast.
Extra police officers were rushing to remote Cape York communities on Friday while cyclone preparations are already in full swing.
Minor flooding is likely to occur from the Cape possibly down to Townsville and authorities are also warning people to beware of tidal surging as Nora approaches.
No cyclone has crossed the coast in the forecast area since 2001 but Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is happy with preparations.
Senior officers from swift water rescue crews and SES leaders have been deployed to remote communities and Ms Palaszczuk said regional mayors would be updated every three hours.
"A category four is a big system. A category four is intense, and it's the tidal surge that comes afterwards," she said.
Queensland Bureau of Meteorology manager Bruce Gunn said flood watches were in place as up to 200mm of rain could fall daily with isolated pockets possibly being hit with 300mm.
Nora, located about 560km northwest of Weipa on Friday afternoon, is forecast to hang around the southern part of the Gulf of Carpentaria for days but may dissipate to a category three cyclone before crossing the coast.
If it reaches category three, wind speeds will escalate to 165-224km/h, strong enough to cause roof and structural damage if it crosses the coast in a populated area.
Gales with gusts of up to 110km/h could develop in coastal areas between Elcho Island and Cape Shield, including Nhulunbuy, on Friday if the system takes a slightly more southerly track than forecast.
The Northern Territory is also on cyclone footing, with planes on standby.
On Mornington Island the local council has arranged an extra flight on Saturday morning for people who want to leave. The island does not have a cyclone shelter.
Ms Palaszczuk said schools could be closed next week, depending on developments during the weekend.
"We do want people and families to be safe," she said.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll has urged residents to quickly prepare as they only had a limited window before the weather started to affect communities.
Vulnerable patients in Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw are being evacuated to Cairns.
State disaster coordinator deputy commissioner Bob Gee urged people not to be complacent and asked people not to go on roads or out on boats.
"It's a very unsettled system," he said.
Another meeting of the disaster management committee will be held on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, depending on developments.
Australian Associated Press
