The tropical cyclone weakened to a category one overnight, but authorities say it could re-intensify into a category two today as it moves towards the coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts the cyclone will hit between Cape Flattery and Townsville and towns along the tropical coast between Cooktown and Innisfail, including Cairns, Port Douglas and Palm Island, are all within the warning zone.
The Bureau forecasts the weather system will cross the coast as a category 2 system tomorrow.
It’s expected to weaken once again as it moves inland during Thursday towards the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Douglas Shire Council Mayor Michael Kerr told Today the main concern among locals were the strong winds expected.
“The winds are one of the biggest problems because if people haven’t done the right thing and tied things down or put things away, they blow around and that causes damage,” he told Today.
“Branches and things in backyards, you have got to ensure you have done the background work to ensure you are ready so when this does come you will stay safe.
“We have done everything to prepare. We can’t change what is going to happen but we can change the outcomes by making sure we have done everything we need to do.”
Cairns city hasn’t seen a direct hit from a cyclone in decades, and officials are worried.
Cairns Mayor Terry James warned locals to be prepared.
“That’s our fear: complacency,” he said.
“Everyone says we’re protected by the mountains, we’re protected by something else but we haven’t had a direct hit for 67 years, so we’re overdue.”
The Cairns Ferris Wheel has already been packed down but it’s the crucial infrastructure that’s of greater concern.
Nearly 100 kilometres south of Cairns, Innisfail locals are preparing for isolation, and the warning level is sitting at watch and act.
Chairman of Canegrowers Joe Maranohas, who lives in Innisfail, hoped the cyclone would miss the town.
“I am pretty more confident now they are saying it is going to Port Douglas, but no cyclone is a good cyclone,” he said.
“You just want to get it over and done with and hopefully you come out unscathed.
“It is the aftermath where you get a lot of damage that you have to deal with and the ongoing clean-up. It all depends on the day or night and when it comes. We will see who happens.”
Residents should be now preparing their own kits, including food and water, and think about where they could go, if an evacuation order is given.