Dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible for parts of north and central Queensland with the Bureau of Meteorology warning up to 300 millimetres could fall in some areas.
The heavy rainfall warning spans from Cardwell to Carmila and includes adjacent inland areas between Charters Towers to Moranbah.
Already 222mm had fallen at Forbes Road, west of Mackay, 192mm at Calen and 190mm at Cungull, in just under 24 hours.
Between 9am and 3pm, Murray Flats near Tully had recorded 108mm and Finch Hatton 60mm.
Water has gone over a number of roads in the region, with nine people stranded on a highway north of Emerald.
The RACQ Capricorn Rescue chopper flew to the area and rescued the five adults, three infants and one preschooler.
The BOM warned that on Saturday between 100 to 180mm was possible within six hours and up to 300mm in 24 hours in some isolated areas.
However, on Sunday and Monday similar falls could be recorded: up to 250mm within six hours and 400mm within 24 hours, most likely about the ranges and coast.
"Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is also possible north of Bowen from later today, gradually extending over the remainder of the warning area during Sunday," it said in a statement.
Forecaster Felim Hanniffy said the bureau was expecting days of very wet conditions particularly focused along the central coast.
"River systems are likely to expand very, very quickly given the saturated conditions so just stay up-to-date regarding the situation," he said.
"It's a dynamic one and likely to change pretty quickly.”
Uncertainty around cyclone
Mr Hanniffy said a weak tropical low could potentially form off the Queensland coast this weekend.
He emphasised that most models suggested that low would be "well off the Queensland coast".
"Some of the models indicate that later in the week as we go towards the mid-to-latter part of next week that any potential tropical low that develops is likely to pull off the coast and then potentially further develop," Mr Hanniffy said.
"But too early to say whether this system will develop into a cyclone late next week, [there's] a lot of uncertainty around that."
'Relentless' rain forces vets into action
In Central Queensland, 288km west of Mackay, a small town has been surrounded by floodwaters.
The Clermont Veterinary Surgery, which is about a kilometre out of town, has been cut off in both directions.
Clinic lead Tess Salmond said they may have to chopper in supplies for the vets who stayed behind to provide care.
"I feel for the clients that would really like their little animals back, but we're doing the best we can," she said.
"We've got some critically unwell animals with snake bites, but they are doing well."
Ms Salmond said she made a plan on Friday morning when they could see the creeks rising.
"A couple of selfless vets raced across and are now camping in at the vet clinic to make sure the in-hospital patients get the care they need," she said.
"We're very lucky that the local GP doctor Sarah let us set up in her car park."
Ms Salmond said the rain "does seem to be more than usual."
"It's been relentless."
Vet Caitlyn Mittelstatt said it's a wait-and-see situation.
"It's always a bit exciting seeing the river go so high and we're all very good at problem solving," she said.
"We still got plenty of food and water in the town."
Local crews ready
Mackay region Deputy Mayor Karen May said the local disaster management group was on alert.
"That means we can activate that if necessary," she said.
The Bruce Highway had been cut in both direction on Saturday morning at Calen near Mackay, but one lane was opened by the afternoon.
Laurie Brown tried to pass the highway twice on Saturday morning with his wife and dachshund, they're on the way to Brisbane from Townsville to pick up a caravan.
"It's been washed out a far bit, they're filling in the holes with rocks, there's not much you can do about it," he said.
"Just go with the weather, whatever happens happens."
Meanwhile, the Central Highlands Regional Council said the Theresa and Retreat Creek catchments were filling up and would eventually go over the bridge on the Gregory Highway this evening or tomorrow, putting it out of action for about 24 hours.
A Flood Watch is current for North Tropical Coast and Central Coast catchments, which include Mackay, Proserpine, Charters Towers, Bowen, Townsville and Ingham.
Mr Hanniffy said there was a significant risk of flash flooding and riverine flooding over the next two to three days.
"Further north as well away from that focal point you've still got plenty of potential for shower and thunderstorm activity as we go through today and the risk of some potentially severe activity there, through parts of the northern interior and gulf country," he said.
Chief Superintendent Tony Johnstone from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has urged residents to avoid flooded roads.
"You don't know what's underneath, You can't see any branches or hang-ups or if the road's subsided. Just be aware of creeks around you," he said.
"They may have been swollen during the week and they may come up over the weekend, yet again.
"We've got a lot of volunteers and staff that are prepared for this weekend. The local governments are actually watching the weather conditions."
