Heavy overnight rains, storm-surge tides and gusty winds across Douglas Shire are currently causing widespread dangerous conditions as locals and travellers wake up and attempt to move around the district, prompting warnings from authorities.

As Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to hit the Coen region further up the coast within the next hour as a category four system, there have been reports of multiple tree branches down overnight in the Shire, including on the road at Cooya Beach.

And the Captain Cook Highway at Ellis Beach was last night closed by police during high tide as storm-surge waves came up over the road, then reopened to traffic later in the night.

With the next high tide at about 9.30am, commuters and beachfront residents are being warned to brace for more damage and dangerous road conditions.

The road at Ellis Beach was still open during the last Queensland Traffic update at about 5.30am.

“Motorists should exercise appropriate caution, including the possibility of postponing non-essential travel,” QT warns.