North Queensland residents are facing an anxious wait as Cyclone Dylan edges closer to the coast.
The tropical low developed in the Coral Sea several days ago and was upgraded to a category 1 cyclone on Thursday. The storm is more than 200km offshore and likely to make landfall overnight.
Heavy rain has already caused flooding in areas including Townsville, and king tides have caused problems as far north as Cairns. Evacuation centres are being set up, the ABC reports.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has travelled to Townsville and says despite extensive preparations, there is no room for complacency.
Mr Newman says his single most important message is that people who need to travel because of flooding need to do it now.
