Tropical Cyclone Debbie could cause severe damage and destruction to Far North Queensland, meteorologists have warned.

The category one cyclone was declared Saturday afternoon, with a watch zone issued for residents living along the 1000km stretch of coast between Cape Tribulation and St Lawrence.

But Debbie is predicted to intensify into a category four system over the weekend, potentially bringing with it wind gusts of more than 200km/hr.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has also warned it cannot rule out the possibility it could intensify into the most severe category five.

"It could cause significant structural damage, dangerous airborne debris and also power failures,” BoM meteorologist Andrea Peace said.

Authorities have warned the system may develop into a category four cyclone. (WindyTV)

A satellite image of the Category One system. (Twitter via UW-Madison CIMSS)

Debbie is expected to make landfall between Cardwell and Hamilton Island either on Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Ms Peace said heavy rain in excess of 200mm per day was expected to develop on Sunday along the far north and central Queensland coast, as well as in adjacent inland areas.

"Abnormally high tides are also expected to occur between at least Lucinda and Mackay as the cyclone approaches the coast," she said.

"Large waves may also develop along the beachfront so coastal inundation is likely and those highest waves will be on the southern side of the cyclone."

A flood watch remains current between Cairns and Gladstone.

Residents in far north-east Queensland are being urged to prepare immediately.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday told people not to wait until Monday because it could "be too late".

“We do not know at this stage exactly where the potential cyclone is going to cross land fall,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This is the time that you should now be preparing.

“Make sure that properties are secured, gutters are cleaned. Use this time to make sure that you have your emergency kits ready.”

A decision about school closures will be made on Sunday, following the second meeting of the Queensland Disaster Management Committee.

A cyclone watch warning has been issued for Cape Tribulation and Proserpine. (BoM)

Coordination centres in Cairns, Innisfail, Townsville and Mackay have also been activated.

Townsville Local Disaster Management group chair Jenny Hill urged residents to familiarise themselves with the council's evacuation guide to determine whether their house may be at risk of flooding.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services deployed 50 staff from its Disaster Assistance and Response Team to Cairns on Saturday afternoon to bolster local crews.

With AAP

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