North braced to be smashed by Nora, with winds of 270km/h
Destructive winds gusting up to 270km/h could hit parts of Cape York as Cyclone Nora intensifies into an expected category 4 storm and moves towards the Queensland coast.
Heavy rain and flash floods are also predicted from Torres Strait to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and tidal surges bringing large waves could inundate foreshores.
A forecast track map for Cyclone Nora.
Photo: SuppliedAuthorities are also wary of crocodiles, which usually go out to sea ahead of extreme weather.
Flood watches are in place as up to 200mm of rain could fall daily, with isolated pockets possibly being hit with 300mm.
Minor flooding is likely to occur from the Cape possibly down to Townsville.
Swift water rescue crews are being stationed along the Gulf and up the western coast of Cape York, a senior Queensland Fire and Emergency Services source said.
So far they haven't been required, but will remain on standby until the threat from Nora has passed.
They are expected to help with damage assessment once the storm has dissipated.
"A coastal crossing anywhere along the western Cape York Peninsula south of Weipa during Saturday afternoon or Sunday is possible," the Bureau of Meteorology warns.
"By Monday, the tropical cyclone is expected to become slow moving over the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria or inland of the coast."
On Saturday morning Nora was about 275km northwest of Weipa, and was moving southwest at 20km/h.
If the core of the cyclone nears the coast, the BoM warns very destructive winds could develop between Weipa and Kowanyama on Saturday afternoon or night.
The forecast winds are strong enough to cause roof and structural damage if Nora hits a populated area.
No cyclone has crossed the coast in the forecast area since 2001, but Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is happy with preparations.
SES leaders and extra police have been deployed to remote communities, and Ms Palaszczuk said regional mayors would be updated every three hours.
Schools could be closed next week, Ms Palaszczuk said after a meeting with the disaster management committee on Friday afternoon.
The group will reconvene on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, depending on developments.
The Northern Territory is also on cyclone footing, with planes on standby.