Far north Queensland residents are being urged to prepare for the destructive return of tropical cyclone Nathan, with forecasters predicting it will be a category four system by the time it makes landfall.
Cooktown is again in the firing line with modelling showing Nathan will make landfall in the vicinity of the town, north of Cairns, on Friday morning.
But the Queensland Bureau of Meteorology says this could change and communities from Coen, north of Cooktown, to Cardwell, south of Cairns, are on alert.
Cyclone Nathan was upgraded to a category three on Wednesday evening, and is expected to intensify further as it approaches the north coast.
Its return comes a week after it threatened to hit the far north coast before doubling back eastwards out to sea.
Residents are being warned to stock up on food, water and medications and to draw out cash in preparation for power outages.
They have also been advised to tape up windows, bring loose outdoor items indoors and pack emergency kits, including first aid equipment.
Sandbags are also being made available to guard against major flooding.
