Communities dotted across Australia's far north could be isolated for weeks as a monsoon system inches across the outback, dumping hundreds of millimetres of rain.
The monsoon system reaching from the Northern Territory into the Queensland Gulf has delivered heavy rainfall, with rising floodwaters swamping the road network and isolating small communities.
A severe weather warning is in place for practically the entirety of the state's north, from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the east coast.
Six-hourly totals of up to 260mm are possible, with predictions up to 700mm as the weather system moves slowly across the country.
Queensland authorities are bracing for the worst, with emergency services prepared to drop supplies to communities and livestock fodder as the system strengthens as it gradually tracks south to southeast.
"As we head into the next few days, that monsoon low and monsoon trough are very slow-moving, and the rain is expected to persist over the same area for a prolonged period," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said.
"But we will see a gradual shift with that rainfall moving further south and further east in the next few days," he said.
He warned that the worst was yet to come as communities became isolated.
"In terms of flooding, we are expecting to see the impact last for quite some time and communities could be cut off for days if not weeks.
Major flood warnings have been issued for the Flinders River, with moderate warnings for the Cloncurry River and surrounding areas.
Sandbagging stations have opened in the Mt Isa and Hinchinbrook areas, with locals urged to take added precautions.
In the Northern Territory, warnings remain in place for the Barkly and Carpentaria catchments.
Across the country, Tropical Cyclone Hayley has formed as a category one system threatening Western Australia.
Cyclone Hayley is about 500 km northwest of Broome and is expected to strengthen to a category two system before crossing the Kimberley coast early on New Year's Eve.
Communities in the Kimberley can expect increased showers and thunderstorms, heavy rain, possibly damaging winds, and a storm surge as the cyclone approaches.
