That's where we'll leave the press conference with Premier David Crisafulli.
Severe Cyclone Narelle upgraded to category three system, BOM says
Narelle is expected to keep gaining strength. (Supplied: BOM)
In short:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to intensify into a category four system before making landfall this week.
Communities in its path are being urged to prepare now.
What's next?
It could re-intensify after it crosses the Gulf of Carpentaria and affect the Northern Territory all the way to Western Australia.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle has been upgraded to a category three system as it moves closer to the Far North Queensland coast.
The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Lochart River and Port Douglas on Friday morning as a category four system, with destructive wind gusts of up to 250 kilometres an hour.
LoadingAs of Wednesday evening it was 780 kilometres east-north-east of Cooktown and tracking towards Cape York.
It is moving west-south-west at 22km/h, with 165km/h wind gusts near its centre.
As it approaches, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) expects it will saturate the already sodden coastline with up to 450 millimetres of rain in some areas, with the most intense totals nearest to the cyclone's eye.
The warning zone extends from Lockhart River to Cape Tribulation.
A cyclone watch is in place from Cape Tribulation to Port Douglas, extending across the Central Peninsula to Weipa and Kowanyama.
Damaging winds 'within 24 to 48 hours'
Meteorologist Sue Oates said the severe system would continue to intensify on Thursday and Friday.
"Narelle is expected to cross the Queensland coast during Friday morning as a very intense system," she said.
"The cyclone is expected to remain at tropical cyclone intensity as it crosses the coast before entering the Gulf of Carpentaria, where there is the expectation that the system may re-intensify again".
She said damaging winds would begin within "24 to 48 hours".
"During Thursday, we're expecting those damaging winds to commence in the tropical cyclone watch area.
"That's wind gusts up to around 155km/h, further increasing to very destructive winds within the system's core as the cyclone crosses the coast into that morning period."
That would be, she said, when the gusts would reach up to 250km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is the latest weather system to threaten parts of the state.
Through February, a tropical low drenched a large section of Queensland's north and west, breaking rain records.
Then earlier this month, another tropical low known as 29U delivered more soaking rainfall when it crossed the coast near Innisfail.
'Prepare for waves, wind, rainfall, flooding'
Premier David Crisafulli said those closest to what would become the cyclone warning area were "resilient" but still needed to be prepared.
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Press conference ends
He said this would be the biggest weather system "in living memory" for many people.
"That's why we're asking people to prepare for waves, for wind, for rainfall, for flooding.
"But communities will get through it if they do those preparations".
He said there had been arrangements made for those requiring dialysis treatment and pregnant women ahead of the cyclone's arrival.
Some evacuations have already begun.
Four people have left Port Stewart, heading almost 500km south to Cooktown, while most of Lizard Island has been evacuated.
A spokeswoman for Australian Museum said seven people have departed from its Lizard Island Research Station, while eight essential staff remain.
Seven people have now left the Lizard Island Research Centre ahead of Cyclone Narelle's arrival, while eight others remain on site. (Supplied: Abram Powell)
Almost 50 extra police officers, 74 Queensland Fire Department staff and swiftwater rescuers have been deployed, as have an extra 20 paramedics.
"I have every faith in the ability of people in Far North Queensland to be able to handle events like this," he said.
"It's wind, it's rain, it's storm surge, it's flooding, but they're challenges that people are capable to handle."
'Potential for loss of life'
On Wednesday, there had been suggestions Tropical Cyclone Narelle could intensify into a category five system - estimates that have now been downgraded to category four.
Prior to the downgrade, Deputy Police Commissioner and state disaster coordinator Chris Stream had said Queenslanders in the north know how to deal with extreme weather, but Tropical Cyclone Narelle must be taken seriously.
"At the estimated category five crossing, we should not underestimate the potential for the loss of life,"he said.
He said there were buildings and homes built since 1982 that were rated to handle a category five system, so it was important to know whether their place of shelter was among them.
The deputy commissioner said people must stay inside as conditions worsen, not be tempted to capture a "TikTok moment".
"A piece of debris being propelled at 100 kilometres or more per hour will likely kill you,"she said.
"So, do not be outside as a cyclone, in particularly a category five event, passes over."
Marine Rescue Queensland chief officer Tony Wulff said today would be the last chance to "prepare your vessels".
"A number of vessels have already been shifted up rivers and secured in mangroves to support and protect them through this weather event."
He said welfare checks were also being done for live-aboard boats in the warning area.
'Could impact all of Far North Qld'
Residents in the Cape York town of Lockhart River are preparing for potentially destructive winds as Cyclone Narelle is expected to make landfall from Thursday. (Supplied: Qld Fire and Emergency Services)
Residents in the Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council have started standard cyclone preparations, including fuelling up heavy machinery for potential deployment.
Chief executive Dave Clarke said the community, 800km north of Cairns, was used to dealing with cyclones.
"One of the things our community is very, very good at is resilience," he said.
"Every year, between three and five weeks a year, our roads are cut off … so the isolation isn't an issue."
As the system tracks west, the BOM has predicted warm waters in the Gulf could cause the cyclone to re-intensify as it heads west towards the Indian Ocean.
"This could be a rare system that could end up impacting all of Far North Queensland, the Top End, northern and Western Australia," Mr Gilbert said.
Fishers fear seafood shortages
Meanwhile, fishing boats across northern Queensland are still docked two weeks into the fishing season, with rough conditions leading to concerns about a lack of supply in the coming weeks.
Townsville fisherman and seafood retailer Lucas Dansie said the fishing industry had been watching the latest cyclone closely.
North Queensland fishers are concerned dangerous ocean conditions could mean boats are unable to fish in the region for days. (Supplied: Lucas Dansie)
"Everyone is just sitting at the wharf and they don't really want to go to work because there is no incentive to risk your life and your boat as well as the expense of the fuel,"he said.
With Easter only weeks away, he said there was a small window to bring back fresh produce to meet holiday demand.
"When everybody wants fish, you can't bloody get it," Mr Dansie said.
Lucas Dansie and Stephanie Moore have already started sourcing produce from south-east Queensland in anticipation of shortages. (Supplied: Lucas Dansie)
Mr Dansie has planned ahead and begun sourcing produce from south-east Queensland.
The Queensland Seafood Industry Association's David Bobbermen said prawns and reef fish could soon be in short supply.
Mr Bobbermen encouraged the community to think ahead and buy seafood early to avoid disappointment.
"Go and have a chat with your fishmonger and put an order in now so they can guarantee it can be filled," he said.