WEATHER UPDATE: TROPICAL Cyclone Oswald has been downgraded to a tropical low after crossing the western Cape York coast last night.

The system was a category 1 when it crossed between Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama around 1am, with gales of up to 100km/h.

It is slowly moving north-east but is likely to begin tracking south tomorrow.

The western Cape is expected to receive a major storm tide with minor flooding predicted along the foreshore.

Heavy rainfall is expected along the eastern coastline, including Cairns, between Cooktown and Bowen.

Flooding has already begun along the Cassowary Coast with the Tully Mission Beach road cut at Birkalla and the Innisfail Japoon Rd cut at South Johnstone.

A section of the Burke Development Rd has been closed near Palmerville Rd, while the Laura River is 1.4m under the bridge on the Peninsula Development Rd and rising.

The Mossman Mount Molloy Road is open but subject to flash-flooding.

There has already been flooding at Bushy Creek, with water approximately 600mm over and rising. It is expected to be inaccessible overnight.

The Burke Developmental Road, Walkers Creek-Carpentaria boundary is closed to all vehicles due to flooding.

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