Australia Weather News

The weather bureau is warning residents in north Queensland to prepare for heavy downpours, flash flooding and thunderstorms.

A surface trough off the coast of Mackay is moving slowly north, generating heavy rainfall and storm activity from Mackay to Cooktown in the state's far north.

Senior forecaster Michelle Berry said there was likely to be flash flooding in the region today.

Ms Berry said a flood watch was current for catchments between Mackay and Townsville.

She said some areas had recorded up to 300 millimetres of rainfall over the past few days.

"We actually saw areas near Mackay ... getting 200 to 300 millimetres, so particularly down toward Sarina," she said.

"Much of that fell within six hours, so certainly very intense, very heavy rainfall over the central coast area.

"We expecting some heavy rainfalls but they should be associated with thunderstorms, so we are just asking everyone to remain diligent and watch for those warnings."

Stolen ute recovered from creek, driver yet to be found

Meanwhile, police are still investigating whether a motorist fled when a stolen car became stranded in a flooded creek at Gracemere west of Rockhampton on Saturday.

The ute was discovered in a creek by authorities and a search of the area has so far failed to locate anyone.

The vehicle was removed and seized, but police are yet to find the driver.

An extensive search of the area has been conducted.