The Bureau of Meteorology is expected to officially declare Cyclone Kirrily today as it intensifies to a category three system.
The system is tracking towards the Queensland coast and is forecast to cross land overnight on Thursday between Cardwell and Airlie Beach.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Heavy rain, flooding, destructive winds, and a dangerous storm tide will be brought, with wind gusts of 165 to 224 km/h possible when the system makes landfall.
The system is forecast to weaken however as it crosses land.
“We have issued a tropical cyclone watch, meaning we could see impacts within 48 hours along the coast of Queensland,” BOM response manager Lauren Boekel said.
“The watch is current from Ayr to St Lawrence, that includes Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands as well.”
The state’s disaster coordinator deputy commissioner Shane Chelepy has advised Queenslanders from “Innisfail right down to the Sunshine Coast” to stay up-to-date with advice.
He added people should prepare enough non-perishable food for three days along with petrol and power banks for their phones should electricity be cut off or emergency services cannot reach effected areas.
Queenslanders can stay up-to-date with advice and warnings on the BOM’s website.