Tropical Cyclone Charlotte has crossed the coast in far north Queensland, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds to the area.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Charlotte made land at about 4am (AEST) on Monday near the mouth of the Gilbert River, 305km north-west of Georgetown.

The category one cyclone, Queensland's first of the season, is expected to continue moving east-southeast over land while weakening.

But the bureau has warned that gales and damaging winds with gusts to 120 km/h may be experienced between Cape Keer-Weer and Burketown, and extend about 200km inland.

Very heavy rainfall and flooding are expected in the south-east Gulf country.

Emergency services have been placed on alert for flooding.

Acting Emergency Services Minister Andrew Fraser said on Sunday that falls of up to 300mm were expected between Cardwell and Mossman.

He said State Emergency Service volunteers in the far north were on standby to deal with floodwaters and other emergencies.

Emergency Management Queensland executive director Frank Pagano said SES and other authorities were well prepared to deal with Charlotte and her aftermath.

Emergency Management Queensland has urged residents across the north to prepare an emergency pack with a first-aid kit, torch, battery operated radio, spare batteries, matches, waterproof bags, spare clothing, valuables, canned food and water.

Residents should also board up windows, have timber and tools ready for emergency repairs and fill their cars with fuel, she said.

Emergency phone numbers should also be kept handy.