Dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible for parts of north and central Queensland with the Bureau of Meteorology warning up to 300 millimetres could fall in some areas.

The heavy rainfall warning spans from Cardwell to Carmila and includes adjacent inland areas between Charters Towers to Moranbah.

Already 222 millimetres had fallen at Forbes Road, west of Mackay, 192mm at Calen and 190mm at Cungull, in just under 24 hours.

The BOM warned that six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 180mm were likely throughout Saturday, with isolated 24 hour totals in excess of 300mm possible.

“Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is also possible over small portions of the warning area during this period, with six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 200mm,” it said in a statement.

The Bruce Highway is already cut in both directions at Calen near Mackay.

Mackay region Deputy Mayor Karen May said the local disaster management group was on alert

“That means we can activate that if necessary,” she said.

Chief Superintendent Tony Johnstone from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has urged residents to avoid flooded roads.

“You don’t know what’s underneath, You can’t see any branches or hang-ups or if the road’s subsided. Just be aware of creeks around you,” he said.

“They may have been swollen during the week and they may come up over the weekend, yet again.

“We’ve got a lot of volunteers and staff that are prepared for this weekend. The local governments are actually watching the weather conditions.”