Heatley Secondary College is opening at 6:30pm as an evacuation centre for Townsville residents who must leave their homes.
Consistent and intense rainfall has caused widespread localised flooding across Townsville. Residents may need to leave if conditions get worse.
Townsville Local Disaster Management Group chair Andrew Robinson said residents should be prepared to leave.
"If you are experiencing flooding and believe it is unsafe to stay, prepare to leave now. Do not wait for further advice or emergency service to come to your door," Cr Robinson said.
"Try to stay with family and friends if you need to leave your home. Evacuation centres are a place to stay dry, but they should not be your first choice if you need to leave your home and they are not a place to stay long-term," Cr Robinson said.
"Planning for your pet is part of disaster preparations. If you need to go to an evacuation centre, you must find a safe place for your pet to stay, whether that is with family or friends. Pets will not be permitted at the evacuation centre."
To prepare to leave, move cars to high ground, lift important things onto benches, tables or high shelves, charge your mobile phones and block toilets, sink and drains with sandbags to stop sewerage backflow.
Lock your windows and doors. Decide how you will get to your safe place, and do not drive through floodwater.
The Heatley Secondary College evacuation centre is at 321 Fulham Road, Heatley.
For non-life threatening emergencies, call the SES on 132 500.
To stay up to date, visit the Emergency Management and Disaster Dashboard, listen to local radio or phone 13 48 10.
