Qld residents, crews brace for Cyclone Marcia

Queenslanders are bracing for damaging winds, heavy rain and high tides as Tropical Cyclone Marcia tracks closer to the state's coastline.

The cyclone was over the Coral Sea, about 650km north of Bundaberg, on Thursday morning and is expected to continue strengthening as it tracks southwest towards Queensland's east coast throughout the day.

It's likely to then develop into a category 2 storm by the time it hits the Capricorn coast early on Friday.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting heavy rain and damaging winds between Double Island Point and Brisbane, extending down to the state's southern border later Thursday and Friday.

Flash flooding is also possible with some 300mm likely to fall in the next 24 hours while wind gusts could reach 90km/hr in some areas, forecasters say.

Tide levels could also complicate the stormy conditions, with abnormally high tides predicted for Thursday and Friday.

Water levels are expected to rise above the highest tide of the year on the high tide.

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Coastal residents between St Lawrence and Double Island Point are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast.

A flood watch is also current for the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast, and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts.

Local emergency taskforces are beginning preparations and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says more than 9500 sandbags have been collected.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche said regardless of whether the system becomes a cyclone or not, it was vital for residents to prepare for severe weather.

"Check your house, in particular the roof, is in good condition, keep branches clear of the house, clean gutters and clear your property of debris," Mr Roche said.

Meanwhile, Queensland Rail says it has crews ready to be deployed should key train lines be inundated, including main Brisbane stations.

"Certainly in those central stations, we're ready to go," Queensland Rail spokesperson Rebecca Masci told ABC Radio.