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Queenslanders have been warned to be on alert as deadly floodwaters rage across the state's north, including to watch out for crocodiles.
One person has died and thousands are under evacuation orders as intense rain and flash flooding grip large parts of North Queensland, particularly across Townsville and Ingham.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed a woman died in floodwaters in Ingham, around 100km from Townsville, after an SES rescue boat capsized around 9.20am today.
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The woman was travelling with an SES crew on the boat when it struck a tree on Rutledge Street and flipped.
Her body was located a short time later.
"There has been a loss of a life in floodwaters in Ingham," Crisafulli said.
"That's a really tight-knit community, our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy told reporters the woman was travelling on an SES boat when it capsized.
"There were six people onboard the vessel, five people were recovered safely, but sadly one person was deceased," he said.
Queensland Police confirmed an off-duty police officer in a boat recovered the woman's body from the floodwaters.
Crisafulli pleaded with residents in evacuation zones to leave by 12pm as the state's north battles life-threatening flash flooding.
He said SES rescue crews have been busy assisting with evacuation zones.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today he was committed to helping Queensland battle the floods with any resources necessary.
"I have spoken with Premier Crisafulli and reiterated we will supply whatever resources are required to deal with this event," the PM said in a statement.
Albanese described the news of a woman's death in floodwaters as "heartbreaking".
Queensland's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation told residents to be aware of crocodiles in the murky floodwaters as the rain turns streets into rivers.
"During flooding crocodiles can turn up in places they haven't been seen before as they move about in search of calmer waters," the department said in a statement.
"Expect crocodiles in all north and far north Queensland waterways even if there is no warning sign."
The intense rain and flooding won't ease any time soon, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
The bureau said the forecast of more rainfall will likely lead to further pressure on rivers, creeks and streams which can lead to flooding.
Homes and businesses have already been inundated with flooding across the north.
Ingham could see a record flood similar to one in 1967.
Heavy monsoonal weather, including damaging wind gusts, is forecast for the north-east coast of Queensland and three-day totals are expected to top 1000mm.
The rain is expected to continue well into tomorrow and Tuesday.
Dangerous flash flooding has already triggered evacuations between Townsville and Ingham with a six-hour rainfall total of between 160mm and 250mm, the bureau said.
Peak wind gusts of around 90km/h are also possible for the islands and coastal fringe between Tully and Giru, with winds set to ease later tonight.
Multiple suburbs have been told to evacuate after the region was hammered with 400mm of rain in the past 24 hours.
Evacuation orders were issued for large parts of Townsville overnight as heavy rainfall triggered dangerous flash flooding.
Residents in Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea were warned to leave by 12pm local time (1pm AEDT) today.
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Authorities were out early knocking on doors and asking homeowners to gather their loved ones and belongings and leave before it was too late.
Officials have also asked residents not to wait for the knock on their door to leave.
"Residents in the black zone must evacuate by 12 noon tomorrow," Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Chair Andrew Robinson said yesterday.
Single-storey homes are most at risk, while flooding could reach second-storey floors, rescue crews have warned.
Ingham Pump Station is forecast to reach 15m later today.
The 1967 floods peaked at 15.2m, Queensland Police said.
There have been rescues overnight in Ingham, around an hour out of Townsville helping several families evacuate their homes.
An evacuation centre has been set up at Heatley Secondary College at 321 Fulham Road in Heatley and a second has been set up at Townsville Sports Precinct at 24 Burke Street in North Ward, however only animals are being accepted at the second location.
Damaging wind gusts of up to 100km/h across Townsville and much of North Queensland have made rescue missions and evacuations difficult.
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The Bureau of Meteorology issued a gale warning for the coast of Townsville and Cairns while more strong winds are forecast for Mackay today.
The bureau has warned there is potential for more intense rainfall over the state's north into next week.
Major flood warnings were issued for several rivers around Queensland including:
- The Herbert River
- The Ross and Bohle Rivers, the Black River and Bluewater Creek
- The Haughton River Catchment
Premier: Please evacuate your homes
Crisafulli shared a warning for Queenslanders under threat by the flooding and asked those in the "black zone" to pack their bags and leave.
Crisafulli told Today there is no end in sight yet for the heavy rains smashing the state's north.
"We're asking you to leave now," Crisafulli said.
"Ultimately, going with friends and family would be the preferred option, but if that's not an option for you, there is evacuation centres at both Heatley as well as the Townsville Sports Reserve, now in Ingham further north, which is my hometown.
"Some of the rainfall and the river rises we've seen overnight are at historic levels."
The premier said Queenslanders should take this evacuation notice seriously and to stay safe and avoid the roads during treacherous flood conditions.
He said the forecast over the next few days is for "monsoonal rain".
"Take every opportunity to get out if you believe you're in harm's way. Certainly if you're in those suburbs, you've got to go by midday," he added.
"There's more to come. The next few days could throw down more monsoonal rain. In fact, it will.
"So please, please listen to the warnings and we are updating them in real time."
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