A severe thunderstorm warning is current for intense rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding.
Dangerous storms are currently around Paluma, where 291mm of rain has been recorded in the six hours to 4:15pm.
A severe weather warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall and damaging winds remains in place from Tully to Ayr. These conditions may continue into early next week.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns locally intense rainfall is likely between Cardwell and Yabulu, including Rollingstone, Paluma and Ingham, with 24-hour totals up to 500mm.
Heavy rain and flash flooding is possible between Cowley Beach and Giru, and inland to the far eastern Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, including Townsville and Tully.
It is not safe for residents to return to Bluewater or parts of Townsville around the Ross River black zone which is Cluden, Hermit, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea.
A full list of the warnings can be found here.