Tropical Cyclone Hamish is now posing a "very significant threat" to Queensland coastal and island communities between Bowen and Bundaberg, with the storm being re-classified as a category five threat.
At 10am Cyclone Hamish was located 175 kilometres northeast of Mackay and 335 kilometres north of Yeppoon, moving south southeast at 19 kilometres per hour.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the cyclone is expected to maintain a south-southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours.
Damaging wind gusts are expected to affect coastal and island communities between Bowen and Bundaberg during the next 24 hours.
The Bureau says destructive winds are expected to affect exposed coastal and island communities between Mackay and Gladstone during the next 24 hours.
Damaging winds are not expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Bundaberg and Tewantin during the next 24 hours, however they may develop within 48 hours.
Heavy rainbands associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish are likely to cause some flooding in smaller coastal rivers and streams between Mackay and Yeppoon during today and into Monday, the Bureau says.
Heavy rainfalls are likely to affect the coastal streams between Yeppoon to Maryborough during Monday and Tuesday.
The Bureau is advising that people between Bowen and Bundaberg should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.
People between Bundaberg and Tewantin should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.