Dozens of truck drivers and motorists are queued in the town of Proserpine as they wait for the Bruce Highway to re-open.

A low-pressure system triggering severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall is moving through the region, leading to swollen catchments from days of torrential downpour.

As local road closures and warnings remain in place, those travelling by air have not been spared delays.

All inbound flights have been cancelled at Whitsundays airport after the roads in and out of Airlie Beach were inundated.

Heavy rain is also battering some communities between Ayr and Carmilla, including the city of Mackay.

"A low pressure system about the southern Herbert and Lower Burdekin coast and an area of strong convergence to its south over the Central Coast and Whitsundays will remain slow-moving today and through Tuesday," the Bureau of Meteorology said.

"This static pattern will cause significant and prolonged severe weather impacts across the central coast of Queensland."

The heavy rain is expected to continue on Tuesday over southern parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin as well as across the Central Coast and Whitsundays districts.

Forecasters have predicted six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 180mm with isolated 24-hourly totals up to 300 mm.

Over far northeastern parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields district, six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 120 mm are possible with isolated 24-hourly totals up to 150 mm.

Locally-intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, is also possible over central and northern parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 200 to 250 mm with another round of 24-hourly totals between 400 to 500 mm are possible, particularly about the coast and ranges north of Mackay.

Jubilee Pocket recorded 392mm in the 24 hours to 9am on Monday, while Peter Faust Dam recorded 372mm while Proserpine Airport had 317mm.

Over at Preston and Bowen, 313mm of rain was observed.

Overnight, the heaviest falls were around Townsville, Bowen, and Ayr. 

Lake Proserpine recorded 280mm of rain in 24 hours.

Hamilton Island recorded 234mm in 24 hours, an 18-year record.

Rescuers have been kept busy as well, with three people including two teenagers rescued from a swollen river in Palm Grove.

They were clinging to a tree for an hour before they could be helped, and they remain in hospital in a stable condition.

Major roads including the Bruce Highway have also been cut off, forcing truckies and other drivers to pull over to the side of the road and wait.

Forecasters are expecting big tides later this week, which could cause major issues.