Flood warnings remain in place and a major highway is closed, as a tropical low that dumped torrential rain in north Queensland moves out to sea.
More than 340mm of flooding rain fell in six hours in some areas amid widespread falls of up to 100mm.
Floodwaters trapped two people in their car in the Whitsundays, prompting a rescue operation south of Airlie Beach on the Bruce Highway late on Friday.
The deluge triggered a string of flood warnings that remain in place, including for the Herbert River, the Haughton River catchment and the Don and Bohle rivers.
A flood watch has been issued for the north tropical coast and parts of the central coast, which includes the Daintree, Mossman and Barron rivers.
⛈️— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) #Queensland Thunderstorm FORECAST for TOMORROW (Sun 22/12): Thunderstorms possible north of #Ayr, and in western and far southern Queensland. Severe thunderstorms with a risk of heavy rainfall are possible north of about #Ingham. Forecast details https://t.co/oQJP0oAXFT pic.twitter.com/REuHBeTaLEDecember 21, 2024
The wet weather continued on Saturday as the weather system made its way across the tropical coast offshore of the Whitsunday Islands.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the trough will continue to move eastwards and further offshore over coming days but catchments across the flood watch area are wet from recent heavy rainfall and saturated in parts.
Minor riverine flooding was possible from late Saturday.
Sunday will bring isolated to scattered showers and the chance of a thunderstorm in northern and far northern Queensland, north of about Mackay to Hughenden.
Possible heavy rainfall with storms was forecast north of Ingham, and south of about Weipa, the bureau said.
A gale warning is in place for Great Barrier Reef Offshore and a strong wind warning has been issued for the Townsville and Mackay coasts.