Intense rainfall is beginning to ease in some parts of Far North Queensland as a monsoon trough slowly makes its way down the state's coast.

Key points: Parts of Far North Queensland received more than 400mm in less than 24 hours

Parts of Far North Queensland received more than 400mm in less than 24 hours Locals reported seeing cows struggling on local beaches after being washed up by floodwaters

Locals reported seeing cows struggling on local beaches after being washed up by floodwaters A severe weather warning is now in place south of Cardwell to north of Mackay

Areas between Cooktown and Cairns saw hundreds of millimetres of rain across the weekend, which caused flash flooding and cut-off several roadways.

On Saturday night, the Douglas Shire district received almost half a metre of rain in less than 24 hours, causing the Daintree River to peak at a record 12.6 metres on Saturday night.

Residents close to the river received an emergency flood alert in the middle of the night warning them to move to higher ground.

The Daintree Ferry remains out of service due to debris in the river. ( ABC News: Kristy Sexton-McGrath )

Local ferry services were cancelled on Sunday due to damage and a number of residents and tourists were left stranded, some without power to their properties.

Douglas Council Mayor Julia Leu said towns north of the Daintree River would remain cut off while the ferry was being repaired.

Towns north of the Daintree River will remain cut off until the ferry is repaired. ( Facebook: Ayesha Wlodarczyk )

"At the moment it appears as if the ferry itself, there isn't any significant damage but it is the equipment and surrounding infrastructure that has sustained extensive damage and so this all has to be repaired as quickly as possible," Cr Leu said.

Locals also reported seeing a herd of cows washed up onto local beaches at the mouth of the Daintree River, with one group of men helping rescue one stranded in the ocean.

Locals reported seeing a herd of cows washed up onto local beaches at the mouth of the Daintree River. ( Facebook: Ezza East )

The weather system is expected to start moving south today with heavy rain forecast south of Cairns to the Whitsundays.

Inspector Damien Crosby said the heavy rain was a contributing factor to two crashes in Townsville today.

"We just want to reinforce that creeks, rivers and watercourses can rise suddenly and rapidly and with very little warning," Inspector Crosby said.

He said it defied belief that people would still drive through flooded water despite repeated warnings.

The Daintree River peaked at 12.6 metres. ( Supplied: Douglas Shire Council )

"We haven't had the same level of rain as Far North Queensland and they have experienced some significant examples of motoring stupidity up there," Inspector Crosby said.

"But we have no doubt that there will be some motorists over the next few days who will drive through a flooded road [in north Queensland]."

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michelle Berry said it is possible the system may return to the far north.

"Later in the week looking at the monsoon trough mostly likely shifting slowly northwards again, so with that we'll see a continuation of monsoonal conditions and if anything an increase in rainfall and also some potential for a deepening low pressure system," Ms Berry said.

The rain has caused flash flooding in low lying areas of Cairns. ( Supplied: Cassandra Piltz )

Cr Leu said she was confident the community was prepared for more rain.

"Whenever we have localised flooding and these types of events, we do everything we can to get things back to normal," she said.

"Our community is very resilient and people know what to expect. They certainly do pay heed to all our warnings."