'I can't sugarcoat this': Premier's final warnings as Cyclone Narelle strengthens to category 5

Cyclone Narelle has strengthened into a category 5 system and is expected to be the strongest storm to cross this part of the Far North Queensland coast in a century.

It is predicted make landfall about 7am tomorrow (8am AEDT) between Lockhart and Cape Melville, a roughly 200-kilometre stretch of coast about 400 kilometres north-west of Cairns.

It was already generating heavy rainfall and wind gusts of up to 315km/h tonight, prompting a warning for everyone in a roughly 640-kilometre stretch of the Cape York Peninsula between Lockhart and Cape Tribulation.

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Premier David Crisafulli described the storm as a "serious event" and said preparations were under way.

"I can't sugarcoat this, the damage will be widespread with a system like this," he said.

"Let me give it some context: if a category 5 system crosses the coast in this location, it'll be the first time it's happened in over 100 years.

"If a category 5 system crosses the Queensland coast, it'll be the just fourth time that's happened in half a century.

"We're asking people to take precautions and do the little things that make all the difference."

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Narelle is expected to weaken as it crosses the state but remain at a category 2 level before strengthening when it hits the Gulf of Carpentaria.

"Because it's a narrow part of the state, there is a prospect that even though the system will weaken as it crosses land, it still has the potential to have some serious winds as it goes across those communities all the way across," Crisafulli said.

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Winds were increasing in Cooktown tonight, picking up small branches and rattling cars on the road in a dramatic change from the calmness of this morning.

The council was preparing to shut off the water at 10pm (11pm AEDT) and residents were warned to expect to lose power overnight.

"These people need to understand that this is a severe weather system, and we do encourage them to stay indoors," Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes said.

Some took the last chance to get out of the town and evacuated today.

Meanwhile rescuers were rolling into town ready for action if disaster strikes.

"So I've been through three cat 5s. Some are worse than others," firefighter Dale McVeigh said.

Commonwealth help available

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal government stood ready to provide "whatever assistance is required".

He said the storm had the potential to be a "very dangerous" weather event for Queensland and the Northern Territory.

"The category 4 cyclone is forecast into a category 5 system before crossing with severe impacts on Friday," Albanese said.

"I've been engaged and will continue to engage with Premier David Crisafulli.

"As always the Commonwealth stands ready to provide whatever assistance is required for both Queensland and the Northern Territory."

Impacts for Northern Territory

It is forecast to strengthen again to a severe tropical cyclone before impacting the eastern Northern Territory over the weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology said gales were expected to develop in the Port McArthur and Nhulunbuy regions from Saturday.

Destructive winds and heavy rains that could lead to flash flooding are possible, it warned.

"People between Port McArthur and south of Nhulunbuy should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases," the Bureau of Meteorology said.

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