Travellers can expect lengthy delays on Queensland's Bruce Highway after the heavy rain that caused the Daintree River's record-breaking flood pushed south and cut the vital traffic artery.
The highway remains cut in five places between Cairns and Mackay late on Tuesday.
The flash flooding is affecting traffic in both directions, with motorists warned not to cross the rising water.
The traffic chaos on the first day of school for the year comes after a slow-moving monsoonal trough dumped more than 350mm of rain on the area around Proserpine in the 24 hours.
It's the same weather system that dropped almost 500mm on the Daintree River in 24 hours late last week.
Road, rail links and ferry infrastructure has since reopened in the Daintree region, but forecasters are warning residents between Cairns and Mackay to expect further heavy falls.
The system is expected to swing around to the north late on Wednesday, back toward catchments that have already been inundated.
The weather system may also bring some much-needed rain to farmers in Queensland's interior.
A major flood warning is currently in place for the Haughton River near Townsville.
A severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued for communities near the Gulf of Carpentaria, with residents told heavy rainfall, damaging winds and flash flooding are likely.
A flood watch is in place for catchments from the Daintree to Mackay, parts of the western Cape York Peninsula and eastern Gulf of Carpentaria catchments.
Australian Associated Press
