TRANSCRIPT:
New Queensland Premier Steven Miles has a message for the deluged residents of north Queensland.
"We know you've had a tough night. I want you to know that every single resource available is being allocated to keeping you safe. We have heroes on the ground who have been out all night. We deployed literally every boat we could get our hands on in cans to evacuate those who couldn't safely evacuate themselves and more help is underway."
Far North Queensland has reportedly seen a year's worth of rain in just a few days, in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The rain is forecast to continue throughout at least the next 24 hours, with water levels expected to break 1977 records.
The Premier says the Australian Defence Force is heading north to help the evacuation effort.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also confirmed to ABC Radio help is on the way for affected communities.
"People have been devastated, and of course it's a very dangerous situation for many who are in very unprecedented floodwaters. And the major flood warnings are in place for several communities who are already cut off or without power... We have activated already financial support for residents directly impacted as well as for local councils to assist in what will be a major cleanup."
Wujal Wujal, an Indigenous community of 300, is among those to be severely impacted.
The entire town is being evacuated into Cooktown.
Queensland Police commissioner Katarina Carroll says evacuations are happening as soon as emergency services can reach them, and she's urged residents to keep listening to official advice.
"The greatest challenge so far for everyone so far has been access into some of these areas, and will continue to challenge us. The area is still very dangerous to move around, particularly the flash flooding and the volume of water over the roads. Can I please ask, if you don't have to be on the roads, don't. Stay safely in your homes unless you have to evacuate."
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services say they have received more than 1000 requests for assistance in the last 24 hours alone.
This resident says they've been devastated by the flooding.
"It's probably the worst thing I've ever seen. I swam through to get to help but there's so many houses in there that are just devastated. So many people have lost everything."
Authorities have also been called to a more unusual job - the retrieval of a 2.8 metre saltwater crocodile, who was found swimming in the small town of Ingham after the local creek broke its banks.
Ingham has been cut-off both to the north and south due to the ongoing floods.
The emergency has prompted the Greens to renew their calls for the federal government not to open new coal and gas mines.
The Australian Energy Market Operator has forecast all of Australia's coal power stations will be shut by 2038, five years earlier than previously expected.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson Young says the more than 100 new fossil fuel mines the government is considering will increase the likelihood of disasters like that unfolding in Queensland.
"We need to put a stop to new coal and gas if we're going to take the climate crisis serious(ly). This is a warning sign for politicians and governments everywhere, that here in Australia, Australian governments need to sit up and take notice. Mother Nature is on the brink and what we're seeing unfold in Queensland is a result of a climate that is getting more and more extreme."
