Australia Day festivities have been called off or moved in far north Queensland amid heavy rain as people brace for a tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
A tropical low that's gathering strength about 190km west of Weipa is expected to become a cyclone, to be called Savannah, later on Friday.
Remote communities are on cyclone watch with the system is expected to move slowly southwest or southeast through the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria or western Cape York Peninsula over the coming days.
Some Australia Day activities have been cancelled or changed in Cairns and authorities are warning people to be aware of flash flooding and not to enter floodwater.
Police Far North District acting chief superintendent Glen Pointing said two cyclone systems this season had already drenched the area.
"So it is not going to take much for river and creek heights along with other water courses to rise rapidly, creating significant risks to the many motorists travelling for the long weekend," he said.
"We are also mindful that it is still school holidays, and we ask parents to be mindful of where their children are playing, particularly with the temptations that increased water flows can bring."
His warning came on Friday as a child was rescued from floodwaters in Brinsmead.
Heavy rain that could cause flash flooding is already developing across the far north, with six-hourly rainfall totals of 100-150mm likely.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of even heavier falls if thunderstorms develop.
Communities north of Coen have seen the highest falls so far, with heavy rain expected to begin affecting areas south of Port Douglas, including Cairns, on Saturday.
A flood watch is current for major catchments in the region.
