Cyclone Nathan has started to track towards the far-north Queensland coast, where it is expected to hit as category three storm on Friday.
Nathan is currently rated as a category one and is sitting 445km east north-east of Cooktown, but is expected to intensify as it moves towards the coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology says it is expected to hit between Coen and Cardwell, meaning the Cairns region could be threatened.
“We are quite confident of a coastal crossing and do expect it to come across as a category three,” senior forecaster Peter Otto told the ABC on Wednesday.
“Heavy rain will be expected, and damaging and destructive winds, and also abnormally high tides.”
Otto said predicting a cyclone’s intensity was difficult, and Nathan’s strength could vary by a category either side of a three.
Gales could develop around coastal and island communities between Coen and Cardwell on Thursday night, and extend inland to areas including Laura and Kalinga on Friday.
Heavy rainfall that could cause flash flooding is likely to develop on Thursday afternoon or evening.
Ergon Energy says up to 400 staff will be called up if Nathan hits the power network.