Cyclone Ingrid is crossing Cape York Peninsula. (Satellite image taken at 12:30pm on March 10.) (Bureau of Meteorology)
Communities on Cape York's west coast face an anxious afternoon as tropical cyclone Ingrid continues moving across the area.
At 2:00pm AEST the cyclone was about 110 kilometre north-west of Coen and 75 kilometres east of Aurukun, and moving west at 20 kilometres per hour.
The weather bureau says Cyclone Ingrid still poses a major threat with destructive winds of up to 140 kilometres-per-hour likely to continue near the centre.
The cyclone is expected to cross the coast into the Gulf of Carpentaria near Aurukun later today and strengthen as it moves west.
Gales over inland areas are likely to extend on to the coast between Mapoon and Cape Keerweer this afternoon and higher than normal tides are expected in the area.
Very heavy rain and localised flooding can be expected over northern Cape York Peninsula.
Close watch
Far northern disaster coordinator Michael Keating says local police stations have reported little damage and surprisingly little rain as the severe storm moves towards the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Superintendent Keating says a close watch is being maintained.
"We have got a number of communities in the area's we still have some concerns," he said.
"[The cyclone] is still a severe tropical cyclone and it's essential that people in the watch area continue to listen to the media and continue to respond to the advice that they are given."
Aurukun Shire Council chief executive Gary Kleidon says the rain has intensified but residents are ready.
"The community is basically locked down at the moment," he said.
"The people have all returned to their homes and are just waiting. We're basically finalising, closing up some of our premises and that."
Queensland
The cyclone "Ingrid" will hit the coast of Queensland, Australia later today. "Ingrid" is the strongest cyclone that strike Australia since 1974 when cyclone "Tracy" devastated huge areas, including the city of Darwin on the north coast.

Though "Ingrid" has lost momentum during the last few days and now ranks 4 instead of 5, several communities in north-western Australia have been evacuated, daycare centers have closed and flights and ships are grounded or in port. Even more people might be evacuated to nearby airbases if the situation worsens.