Tropical Cyclone Narelle has weakened after unleashing destructive winds and torrential rain on far north Queensland, flooding roads and isolating communities.
But authorities warned they were "not out of the danger zone" yet as Narelle barrelled toward the Northern Territory, prompting hundreds to evacuate.
The monster storm crossed the coast at Queensland's Cape York Peninsula as a dangerous category four system about 7am on Friday, producing wind gusts of more than 250km/h.
By late Friday, it had been downgraded to a category two as it moved west toward the Gulf of Carpentaria, with Aurukun in its sights, still capable of destructive winds.
"While we have threaded the needle on the east coast, we continue to remain vigilant about the impact on the west," Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said.
"We are determined to make sure we get through the event."
Footage showed trees toppling and roofs blown off but the system caused minimal damage on the far north's east coast in what the premier described as an "incredibly good news story".
However, there were a few scares.
Roads are cut off, power outages are widespread, far north flights have been cancelled and rivers are flooding in Narelle's wake, triggering a frightening moment for one family.
The Archer River near the remote Lockhart River community jumped from five metres to 13m in six hours as the heavens opened upon Narelle's arrival.
As the water levels rose, a nearby family on a cattle station had to leave their residence and take shelter in a shipping container, Mr Crisafulli said.
"We're told they are OK but it was a difficult situation for them," he said.
There was little structural damage on Friday but authorities were still concerned about Narelle's aftermath because of downed power lines and flooding.
"We are not out of the danger zone," Queensland disaster co-ordinator assistant commissioner Chris Stream said.
Hundreds of energy crews are set to swarm the far north once the weather allows, with some to be flown into inundated areas.
Rainfall of more than 200mm is likely from Ingham north to the Cape with downpours of up to 500mm likely close to the system.
"It is the next 24 hours we are still concerned about," the Bureau of Meteorology's Matthew Collopy said.
A storm surge on the Cape's west coast is also possible from Weipa down to Kowanyama.
"Although the tropical cyclone has weakened, there is still the potential for destructive winds for those communities," Mr Collopy said of the Cape's west.
The state government is already working with the Commonwealth on Narelle recovery payments.
Narelle was billed as the biggest cyclone "in living memory" as it approached the coast, threatening to become the first category five system to impact Cape York in more than 100 years.
It was downgraded early on Friday before it made landfall near the remote community of Coen, north of Cairns.
The town has a population of about 320 but 250 people chose to stay.
Rain began about 7pm on Thursday, with winds picking up just before dawn.
Local business owner Sarah Watkins told AAP the howling wind could be heard "beating the panels" as people sought refuge in the local pub after being told there was no cyclone shelter.
The system is set to enter the Gulf as a category two before intensifying again as it heads toward the NT late on Saturday.
About 500 people will be airlifted from the NT's remote Gulf community of Numbulwar to Darwin.
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