Federal assistance for Dylan victims

Councils in north Queensland mopping up after Cyclone Dylan will be offered disaster assistance by the federal government.

The local government areas of Burdekin, Townsville and Whitsunday will receive assistance under jointly-funded commonwealth and state disaster relief arrangements.

Cyclone Dylan, the first cyclone of the season, made landfall early on Friday morning between Bowen and Airlie Beach.

Gusts up to 135km/h, heavy rain and storm surges battered coastal areas from Townsville to Rockhampton as the category two cyclone crossed the coast and tracked inland.

Low-lying areas were inundated during king tides and storm surges swept away parts of an island resort.

Weather forecasters predict another cyclone could be on the way, and federal and state governments are urging people to prepare their homes for heavy storms and floods in coming months.