The Queensland government is yet to release a major review of last summer's flood disaster response as the state begins to see the effects of this season's forecast severe weather.
The Inspector General of Emergency Management into Queensland's response to the February disaster was handed to Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan on August 31.
Mr Ryan said he has read the report and it will be released "soon" but insists authorities "are very well prepared" for the likelihood of another summer of flooding rain.
"We will have more to say about the work that we've done, as well as also the [Inspector General's] report very soon," Mr Ryan said.
"We are very well prepared for the storm season and of course, preparations for storm season involve reviewing our responses from previous disasters.
"The government's working through those preparations already."
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) today delivered its severe weather outlook, declaring that a third straight year of warm ocean waters from La Niña, combined with a negative Indian Ocean Dipole, means there is a 70 per cent chance of at least 11 cyclones forming in northern Australian waters this summer, with an early start likely.
La Niña conditions usually encourage cyclones, especially along Australia's east coast.
The average number of tropical cyclones forming in Australian waters is nine to 11, with four crossing the coast, either in Western Australia, the Northern Territory or Queensland.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland could expect a lot more rain and the likelihood of early cyclones.
"Instead of our traditional cyclones coming around December, January, we're expecting that cyclones could form as early as November," she said.
"We didn't see many cyclones across the coast last year, but that may not be the case this year. Now is the time to get ready."
Queensland facing increased risk of flooding
Pip Clifford's rain gauges recorded up to 90 millimetres at her cattle station in south-west Queensland last week.
"This time of the year is generally a drier time," she said.
"But with the weather system, we have had quite a few good rainfalls in the last couple of months."
Ms Clifford said the road to the nearest town, Quilpie, had been closed for nearly a week due to floodwaters.
"Hopefully, within the next couple of days, the roads will be back open," Ms Clifford said.
She said she started preparing after watching the forecasts.
"I just did an extra shop that week with the rain coming."
BOM forecaster Laura Boekel said Queensland is facing a higher risk of flooding in coming months.
"It is important to note that as well as the increased likelihood of seeing more rain, this rain is also falling into wet catchments in quite a few areas across Queensland," she said.
"The chance of widespread flooding across Queensland is higher this season.
"We have already started to see impacts in the West in the lower McIntyre and other rivers in the western parts of Queensland.
"And with more rain in the outlook for summer, these impacts can continue across large parts of Queensland."
Ms Boekel said the cyclone season will start on November 1 and run through until April.
"Queensland typically sees four cyclones in every season with one to two crossing the coast," she said.
"In La Niña, this number could be increased, there is a higher chance that we will see more than average cyclone this season."
New arrivals don't know what to expect
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) northern region director Wayne Coutts said with an influx of new interstate arrivals in northern Queensland, people who have never lived through a cyclone need to reach out to longtime locals for advice.
"The absolute best thing is for them to talk to their direct neighbours. Find out what the streets like, does it flood there?" he said.
"If you calmly go around that, around those sorts of preparations, most people will be absolutely fine."
He advises residents to start increasing their medication and canned food supplies, and to plan on how to survive for several days stuck at home without electricity.
Mr Coutts said while there is no reason to panic, warnings need to be taken seriously and now is the time to start preparing.
"Think about what might happen if they can't get to their normal resources for three to three to five days," he said.
