Tropical Cyclone Koji is set to make landfall in Queensland's far north, threatening to unleash more flooding in the region.
Heavy rain and damaging winds are expected when the category one storm crosses the coast between Townsville and Bowen on Sunday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the system is likely to bring wind gusts of up to 120km/h and intense rainfall that could cause dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding between Townsville and Proserpine.
Warnings are in place for much of the northeast Queensland coast from Townsville to Mackay, including Bowen, Proserpine and the Whitsunday Islands.
Premier David Crisafulli was adamant on Saturday that the already hard-hit region was "better prepared than ever" to handle the challenge.
Koji is expected to deliver heavy downpours in already-soaked catchment areas.
Despite the concern, Crisafulli said swift-water rescue craft, police, SES officers and paramedics were in position and would work with residents on the ground.
"The locals know their patch and the challenges," he said.
After crossing inland on Sunday morning, gales are expected to ease rapidly as Koji weakens and then tracks westwards.
In the northwest, major flooding that has already heavily affected Gulf Country communities - where livestock losses are projected to be significant - continues on the Flinders River.
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