Bureau of Meteorology weather map.

Bureau of Meteorology

AS torrential rain eases over north Queensland, authorities face an additional headache of trying to calculate the damages bill.

Current damage estimates sit at $26.1 million, but with floodwaters still high in some areas the true damage assessments cannot be finalised.

The state government on Tuesday activated Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements for Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Croydon, Tablelands and Hinchinbrook local government areas after monsoonal conditions caused flooding.

Eighteen local government areas in north-west Queensland as well as Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York communities are eligible for flood relief.

In coastal areas, the deluge coincided with king tides, which compounded flood damage by backing up sewage systems and inundating homes.

The focus of disaster management has shifted south from Cairns to Townsville and the surrounding region. The forecast for Townsville, Ayr and Bowen is for continuing rain and windy conditions.

Although the weather is expected to ease on Wednesday, 5000 households and businesses throughout the region are without electricity.

Much of the coastal strip between Cairns and Townsville received over 200mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am (AEST) Tuesday.

Cairns mayor Val Schier said a preliminary estimate of damage was $3 million, although it could take weeks to finalise the bill.

She said the drainage network was the worst hit due to road submergence and landslips.

As the floodwaters peaked, council received 40 reports of sewage problems, mainly from residents in low lying areas.

Flood warnings remain current for coastal rivers and streams between Tully and Townsville, Townsville and Mackay, the Diamantina River, Georgina River, Eyre Creek as well as the Nicholson, Albert, Cloncurry, Flinders and Norman rivers.

Residents are warned to keep away from the worst affected areas and not to try to cross flooded roads or causeways.

Meanwhile, ex tropical cyclone Charlotte is moving west and bringing wind and moderate to heavy falls to areas north of Mt Isa.

A severe weather warning is current for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding on the Herbert-Burdekin and northern parts of the Central Coastal districts.

Severe weather warnings remain in place for the Gulf Country district, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders.

The low is expected to weaken further before moving into the northern territory on Thursday.

View photos of flooding in Cairns.

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