Cyclone Jasper has been downgraded to the lowest category one, but the storm could build strength again before making landfall north of Port Douglas late Wednesday afternoon or evening.

The cyclone, which weakened overnight Tuesday, was about 205 kilometres north-east of Cairns on Wednesday morning and barrelling towards the north Queensland coast at 9km/h.

“Tropical Cyclone Jasper may intensify to category two before making landfall but should weaken quickly as it moves inland overnight tonight as it moves over Cape York Peninsula,” warned the Bureau of Meteorology 4am on Wednesday (AEDT).

Jasper is expected to begin impacting the far north in coming hours, bringing intense rain and wind with the potential for major damage.

The destructive weather system is forecast to cross the coast late Wednesday afternoon or evening between Cooktown and Cairns.

Residents have spent recent days preparing for the slow-moving system to arrive, and watching, as it was reclassified up to a category two as it neared the coast.

Locals have been told to prepare for flash-flooding and potentially days without power, with evacuation centres established in Cairns, Port Douglas and Cooktown.

There was a tropical cyclone warning on Wednesday morning for Cape Flattery down the coast to north of Townsville and inland to Chillagoe.

Destructive winds are set to develop between Innisfail and Wujal Wujal, intensifying early Wednesday morning with gusts of more than 140km/h.

“Winds of this strength can easily bring down tree limbs, whole trees or power lines, damaging fences, roofs and other properties,” the weather bureau’s Miriam Bradbury said.

Cairns mayor Terry James urged locals to stock up and be prepared for up to five days without power.

“The roads will be cut off – potentially the power will be cut off,” he said.

The system is expected to re-intensify into a tropical cyclone as it moves into the Gulf at the weekend.

Cyclonic deluge

The weather bureau said intense downpours could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding from Wednesday afternoon along the coast and adjacent ranges between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas.

There could be six-hourly rainfall totals between 250-300 millimetres and 24-hourly totals between 400-500 millimetres.

Destructive wind gusts of up to 140km/h may develop near and south of the track between Wujal Wujal and Innisfail, including Cairns from Wednesday afternoon.

-with AAP