Premier David Crisafulli delivered a clear message after today’s emergency management briefing: “Prepare for the worst.”

Regions stretching from Hope Vale in the north to Mackay in the south have been drenched by relentless rains, with some areas already surpassing half a meter in rainfall. As this weather system approaches the coast, more rain is anticipated tomorrow.

Crisafulli announced that more police, fire, rescue, and SES teams have been dispatched to support the region.

“They join the thousands of locals who live and work here and are well-versed in handling such conditions,” the premier remarked.

“For those in low-lying areas, it’s time to secure your sandbags,” he advised.

“I’m just asking people just to do the little things today to help, when this rainfall event does come in whatever shape it takes and wherever it comes, there’s no harm in doing the preparation now.

“This rainfall will impact a large area, a large population, but they have great experience and great nous in being able to handle this.”

Chris Hooper from Ergon Energy said people in warning areas should get ready for power outages.

“With these sort of systems that come through, we could expect to lose power,” he said.

Mobile phone services could also be impacted.

Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Stream was scathing of people driving into floodwaters despite warnings ad nauseam.

“It’s critical that people through those warning areas remain vigilant, and pay close attention to both the bureau warnings and also the information supplied through the disaster.qld.gov.au website,” Stream said.

“You have all seen that emergency services have had to carry out a number of rescues over the last, several days.

“That has included two rescue activities in the last 24 hours.

“This is beyond stupidity,” Stream said.

“When you drive into floodwaters, this is negligent activity, you are placing yourselves and your passengers at risk, as well as other people that have to come and rescue you from those situations.”

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said sandbagging sites are being replenished.

He urged people to be “prepared but not panicked”.

”With warnings of heavy rain and wind, we could see power outages over the weekend and next 48 hours,” Dametto said.

“We want people to take this seriously but not be worried to the point where they’re stripping the shelves.”

Meanwhile Cairns residents are now on level four water restrictions and are being asked to restrict their water use to drinking, cooking, and bathing due to “high turbidity” in the catchment.

Emergency kits should contain food, bottled water and medication for three to four days, pet supplies, torches with batteries and a radio.