Tropical cyclone intensifies as path remains uncertain

Parts of northern Queensland have been ravaged by rain and flooding for weeks. (HANDOUT/ERGON ENERGY)

A tropical cyclone has intensified to a category three system but it's uncertain whether it will veer towards the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is sitting 850km northeast of Mackay in northern Queensland and intensified to a category three overnight, producing wind gusts of 185km/h in the Coral Sea.