Severe Tropical Cyclone Ita has been upgraded to the highest category level as it moves towards the far north Queensland coast.

The category-five cyclone is now expected to make landfall this afternoon between Cape Melville and Cape Tribulation, coinciding with the high tide.

Ita has very destructive winds of around 285 kilometres per hour near the centre, and is expected to cause flash flooding with falls of up to 400 millimetres.

At 4am on Friday the system, which has already wreaked havoc in the Solomon Islands, was estimated to be 250 kilometres north-north-east of Cooktown and 400kms north of Cairns, and moving south-west at 12kph.

Destructive winds may hit communities between Cape Melville and Cooktown early this morning before extending inland and to the south.

A warning has been issued for Lockhart River to Innisfail, extending inland to Kalinga, Laura, Palmerville, Mareeba and Chillagoe.

The weather bureau says the cyclone is the most severe system it has seen approach the Queensland coast since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

"It has definitely intensified over the last six hours and it is showing a structure with a real evident eye in the centre," senior forecaster Andrew Bufalino said.

Senior forecaster Pradeep Singh says the system is now extremely dangerous and could potentially become a "middle or a high-end" category five cyclone.

The bureau expects damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of some low-lying areas between Cape Melville and Cape Tribulation.

Tropical cyclone category system Category five Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction

Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction Very destructive winds - typical gusts over flat land of more than 280kph Category four Significant building damage likely, many caravans will be blown away or destroyed

Significant building damage likely, many caravans will be blown away or destroyed Dangerous airborne debris and widespread power failures

Dangerous airborne debris and widespread power failures Very destructive winds - typical gusts over flat land of 225-279kph Category three Some damage to roofs and buildings, some caravans will be destroyed

Some damage to roofs and buildings, some caravans will be destroyed Power failures likely

Power failures likely Very destructive winds - typical gusts over flat land of 165-224kph Category two Minor house damage, significant damage to signs, trees and caravans

Minor house damage, significant damage to signs, trees and caravans Heavy damage to some crops, risk of power failure, small craft may break moorings

Heavy damage to some crops, risk of power failure, small craft may break moorings Destructive winds - typical gusts over flat land of 125-164kph Category one Damage to some crops, trees and caravans; crafts may drag moorings

Damage to some crops, trees and caravans; crafts may drag moorings Gales - typical gusts over flat land of 90-125kph Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Very heavy rain is also expected to develop around parts of the Peninsula and North Tropical Coast and Tablelands districts tonight and over the weekend.

Cooktown residents are being warned that properties built before 1985 may not be able to withstand Ita's impact.

Premier Campbell Newman has cut short his trade trade trip to Asia and has visited Cooktown, which is at the centre of the cyclone preparation effort.

He has urged residents of those dwellings built before the building code was amended to seek shelter elsewhere.

Mr Newman says one third of the dwellings in the town of about 2,400 people could be vulnerable.

"We're just asking people to make an assessment. If it's a more modern house, you're probably safe if it's well maintained. Otherwise consider going to another residence," he told 7.30.

The Cooktown cyclone shelter has opened tonight at the PCYC Cooktown Events Centre.

Residents are also being urged to take the opportunity now to charge mobile phones and prepare an emergency kit, which should include a radio and batteries, drinking water and non-perishable foods.

Authorities say they have a wide-ranging emergency plan and are taking into account the possibility that the system will track towards Cairns.

"We don't put all the eggs in one basket," Acting Chief Superintendant Brett Schafferius said.

"The planning that is taken by the councils and the districts allows for the flexibility and the change as mother nature changes her mind."

You can see the current warnings on the ABC's Emergency page.

Track the movements of Cyclone Ita