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.

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.

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.

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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."

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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.

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