Heavy rain is expected to continue in Queensland's far north, with warnings of severe flooding

Warnings cover rivers around Townsville, with various watches in place south of Cairns to Mackay.

Townsville is forecast to bear the brunt of heavy rain, with one suburb seeing around 350 millimetres.

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe, says major warnings are in place for much the Herbert River northwest of Townsville.

The town of Halifax is already above the major alert level, and 40 centimetres below the record levels there.