Australia Weather News

Tropical Cyclone Koji is expected to make landfall within hours between Ayr and Mackay, according to the weather bureau. 

The cyclone is moving south at 18 kilometres per hour and is currently 120km north-east of Townsville. 

The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled its warning for Townsville and said strong winds from the cyclone of up to 120km/h have been observed in the Whitsunday Islands. 

Forecaster Angus Hines said the storm was expected to cross the coast as a category one system at about 8am AEST. 

Tropical Cyclone Koji was downgraded from a category two system overnight and is forecast to rapidly weaken before tracking west. 

However, the weather bureau said heavy rain could persist throughout the sodden region in coming days and a number of flood warnings remain in place. 

"Rain is going to be the main focal point really as today progresses," Mr Hines said.

Heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding is forecast from Ingham to Proserpine, while locally intense rainfall could lead to life-threatening flash flooding is possible between Townsville and Proserpine. 

Major flood warnings are in place for north Queensland catchments including the Herbert River, Haughton River Catchment, Pioneer River, Georgina River and the Flinders and Cloncurry Rivers. 

Mr Hines said falls between 100mm and 200mm could fall across a large part of the north Queensland, with falls as far south as Rockhampton.

Extra SES members, as well as Queensland Police and Ambulance officers, have been placed in the Whitsunday Islands in anticipation of the cyclone's impact.

Whitsundays Mayor Ry Collins said the impact of the storm was being felt.

"It's howling out there at the moment," he said.

Mr Collins said area had already received about 150mm of rain and some roads are already impacted by floodwaters, including a section of the Bruce Highway just outside of Bowen.

"We encourage everybody throughout the region to take the advice and make sure they're prepared for what's coming." 

Ergon Energy spokesperson Justin Coomber urged residents to report and stay away from any downed powerlines and treat them as if they are live. 

"We'll get out and restore power as soon as it's safe to do so," he said.