Two isolated aboriginal townships “dodged a bullet” as the Category 3 cyclone veered south early on Saturday to hit the sparsely populated western part of Cape York.

Cyclone Owen still packed a punch in its compact core — just 30km wide in the most destructive eye — with 120km/h winds and dumping 200mm of rain in two hours in parts.

But by late on Saturday afternoon, Owen was a cyclone no more, with the Bureau of Meteorology downgrading it to a tropical low.

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said it was one of the best-case scenarios emergency services had seen in a long time, but warned of heavy rainfall and flash flooding that could still follow.

“Please do not be complacent, particularly in that northeast tropics area where the rain will continue,” Ms Carroll said.

“As always, if it’s flooding forget it. And as always, listen to your warnings.”

There was a 50 per cent chance of Owen again spinning back up into a cyclone in the Coral Sea off Townsville on Tuesday.

Kowanyama Mayor Michael Yam said his community “dodged a bullet” when the cyclone veered south.

“We were right in the bullseye but then it dipped and went south,” Cr Yam said.

“It’s a bit strange, we got a bit of wind and rain overnight, but nothing much.

“There’s no structural damage, a little debris, we’re all good and in one piece.

“What I’m really happy about is the preparation.

“Everyone went into lockdown and took the threat seriously.”

The State Emergency Service received 400 calls for help throughout Friday night.

State Disaster Coordinator Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee said it had been a long night without sleep for many in the state’s north.

“Two small indigenous communities in the Gulf asked for help, they received help, they were prepared, they did lots of hard work and it’s worked for them, and most importantly as a community they came together and opened their doors to each other,” he said.

“They were incredibly patient, and worked together well as a team and they should be congratulated.”

The weather system was expected to move back out over water between Innisfail and Townsville overnight.

Extra police had been deployed to Ingham as a “safeguard”, with flooding a major concern.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service executive director of medical services Dr Tony Brown urged people living across the far north to take care of their health and avoid contact with floodwaters.

He said infections, dermatitis, conjunctivitis and ear, nose and throat infections could all be caused by exposure to polluted water.

“You should also consider avoiding flood water and mud if you have broken skin or wounds, especially if you have diabetes or other chronic diseases,’’ he said.

“And please see a health professional or your doctor early for severe wounds, especially if the wound is dirty or becomes red, sore, swollen or painful.’’

The bureau warned there was still a chance of heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding in the Gulf Country and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders regions.

It was still predicting that large parts of the Queensland east coast would see significant rainfall of between 50mm and 100mm between today and Tuesday, with a chance of heavier falls around the Townsville area.

Further south, rough seas saw surf lifesavers perform multiple rescues of swimmers on the Sunshine Coast, including five children who were pulled from the water by a lifesaving jetski.

“Parents need to be with their child at all times in the water,” a spokesman said. “Lifeguards are not babysitters.”