Welcome to our rolling coverage of the major flooding in Queensland's far north where five days of torrential rain has turned roads into rivers, cutting off some areas just days after Cyclone Jasper, with more on the way.
- Families seek safety on rooftops after losing everything
- Croc pulled from floodwaters in middle of North Queensland town
We'll wrap up our live coverage of the floods in Far North Queensland there.
Cairns and surrounding areas have been badly hit by record breaking rainfall, with homes lost, residents rescued and water supplies also hit.
While the weather now appears to have eased for some areas, locals face an ongoing disaster as flood waters remain.
Keep up to date on the Queensland Disaster website and on 9News.
It's not just residents being evacuated from Far North Queensland, with the Young Animal Protection Society in Smithfield, going to extreme lengths to save the animals in its care.
Shelter supervisor, Kelly Brown told Today the animals had been evacuated last week due to ex-tropical cyclone Jasper, and not long after they had moved them back in, floodwaters started pouring in.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) confirmed they captured a 2.5m crocodile that was resting in the town of Ingram, south of Townsville.
Senior Wildlife Officer Tony Frisby said the crocodile was captured using a harpoon, which hooks into the animal's skin but doesn't cause any harm.
"Using a harpoon is a direct method of capture and takes a lot of skill and experience to get close enough to the crocodile before the animal submerges," Frisby said.
Employment Minister Grace Grace said the government will work with supermarkets to deliver much-needed supplies to Cairns after the floods.
"My only briefing was to make sure our supermarkets are stocked up in where Cairns is facing the devastation," she said.
"I want to make sure if we people need supplies, we can get it up there."
The Minister made the remarks after Premier Steven Miles was sworn into the top job.
Just over a week ago shelves in the area were stripped as Cyclone Jasper approached.
A crocodile has been seized after it was discovered swimming through floodwaters in the centre of a Far North Queensland town.
The crocodile was spotted by multiple locals in Ingham, about 115 kilometres north of Townsville, earlier today.
Amid the unfolding devastation, some pub goers didn't let the water stop them getting a drink.
They headed to a pub in tinnies.
See the pictures HERE.
Premier Steven Miles has made Far North Queenslanders one of his "strong focuses" at a press conference following his swearing-in ceremony this afternoon.
"We now have to get on with showing Queenslanders we're delivering for them," he said.
"For this week, from today on, one of our strong focuses will be on the people of Far North Queensland.
"Ensuring that we deliver for them, and provide them with the supplies, the resources, the personnel, and the support they need, as soon as it's safe to do so, to recover from this terrible natural disaster event."
Miles has extended the disaster assistance package for affected residents and increased the emergency services personnel in the region.
He assumed the premiership after his predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk resigned on December 10.
Disaster relief assistance across Far North Queensland extended
Queensland has extended its disaster assistance to all LGAs of Yarrabah, Cairns, Mareeba, the Tablelands and the Cassowary Coast.
Select localities in the Cook Shire - including Shipton Flat, Rossville, Ayton, Bloomfield, Laura, Lakeland, Oaky Creek, Helenvale, Mount Amos, and defined areas of Cooktown - are also eligible.
Residents affected by the damaging floods can receive grants of up to $900 for a family of five and of $180 for individuals for essential items.
"The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme is also available to eligible homeowners needing to reconnect electricity, gas, water or sewerage," the Queensland Government said in a statement.
"The councils of Mareeba, Tablelands and Yarrabah can also now access funding for counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets such as roads, bridges and floodways."
Further information on disaster assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au or www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.
Recently-elected Prime Minister Chris Luxon said New Zealand is "ready" to help Far North Queenslanders in the wake of Cyclone Jasper.
"I'm sure many New Zealanders will be feeling for friends and family in Cairns and elsewhere in Queensland, as the far north grapples with flooding," he said.
"Just as Australia came to our aid in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, our emergency services stand ready to help in Queensland, if needed."
Luxon, who was appointed in November, said he has offered support because "that is what friends do".
The Barron River, notoriously susceptible to flooding and accidents, has hit the major flood level of eight metres after it recorded about 370 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours.
Footage overlooking the river showed the dangerous waters plummeting out from the catchment towards Kamerunga and Cairns Airport, which have been flooded as a result.
"Hard to capture the volume of water on video but walking in I could feel the ground shaking amidst a deafening roar," Paul Webster wrote.
The Bureau of Meteorology is, however, anticipating flood levels to ease by later this afternoon.
A crocodile that was found in a popular swimming spot in Ingham has been rescued from the floodwaters.
The roughly two-metre saltwater gave residents a scare when it was spotted in Palm Creek, after the town recorded about 152 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours.
Residents were filmed casting what appears to be a net to pull the crocodile out as it thrashed in the waters.
"He must be so tired … he's been here for three hours, that croc, swimming against the current," resident Fiona Fratus said.
A town in Far North Queensland has smashed rainfall totals after it recorded more than what Cairns or Darwin receive in a year.
Myola was pelted with about 2,025mm of rain in the past five days to 9am this morning, according to Weatherzone.
Meanwhile, the tropical region of Cairns typically records about 1,992mm of annual rainfall after its wet months from about December to March.
Cairns Regional Council has warned residents its water supply to the region has now reached a critical level.
"There is very limited supply which may run out this morning if water cannot be restored to the treatment plant," it said in its latest update.
Water should only be used for drinking and food preparation, personal hygiene and medical needs as authorities work to clear blockages to the supply.
Once restored, there will be limited water until reservoirs are replenished.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy confirmed seven people have also been stranded on five houses in Degarra, and two people on a roof at Bloomfield.
"We are doing everything we can to get our emergency services in to support these people," he said.
"We have been in contact via phone and we know they are safe. and being on the roof at the moment is the safest location for these people."
The water, through those areas, is moving very rapidly and for us to undertake rescues at this point in time would be highly unsafe.
"We are in contact with those people and we will get our emergency services into there as quickly as we can."
Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll described the flooding as "incredibly difficult".
She said last night was an "extraordinary challenge" for emergency services.
"I am a far northerner, I remember those floods in 1977 and have been through many disasters and cyclones in that part of the world," she said.
"I must say, what we've seen over the last couple of days has been absolutely devastating.
"We have not seen the volume of water at least since that time."
Carroll said there were more than 300 triple-zero calls just to police.
She said "thankfully" there had been no deaths or serious injuries as a result of the floods.
Senior meteorologist Laura Boekel confirmed Cairns was no longer included in the latest weather warning, which forecasts heavy rain.
"It's important to note that the forecast for the rest of the day is for showers and storms, so we could still see these showers producing large amounts of rainfall," she said.
Major flooding continues to be recorded for the Daintree, which could peak again later today.
The peak of 15m beats the previous record of 12.6m.
Queensland premier Steven Miles is giving an update on the "record-breaking" rain event that is impacting thousands of people in Far North Queensland.
Miles said the ADF and the navy had been providing all of the support they could right now.
"We remain very concerned about the community of Wujal Wujal," he said.
"The group of people who were trapped on the roof of the hospital in Wujal Wujal have been able to safely move to another location.
"It appears likely that we will need to evacuate the entire town of Wujal Wujal."
Miles said agencies were working across government to work out how to safely move the community to Cooktown.
Devastating stories of multiple families who have "lost everything" in the floods are emerging.
Multiple fundraisers are trying to gather money for people who have been hit just a week before Christmas.
One page, set up by mother Leila Holden says her daughter's family 'only got the clothes they got out with.
"New fridge they got yesterday, all the Christmas presents, they are all gone. Both their cars are now floating." the page said.
Another page describes Joe and Ged Gundrum's Cairns home as being "submerged with only a metre to spare before reaching the ceiling."
Many fundraisers say those affected didn't have insurance and images show the insides of homes under water.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) crews continue to tirelessly work to rescue people from floodwaters.
Crews have received more than 1000 requests for assistance in the past 24 hours.
Hundreds of people have called for emergency help overnight in the Cairns region.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said crews had undertaken at least 250 to 300 flood rescues in the past 24 hours.
"Today is not the day to be out of your house, it's the safest place for you," he said.
"We are still seeing reports of people driving into flood water which results in us diverting our resources away from evacuating people."
Are you living in Far North Queensland and have been impacted by the rising floodwaters and extreme rain? Please send any images you've taken through to contact@nine.com.au
Just please make sure you safe safe when filming anything.
Queensland Police has given an update to the nine people trapped at Wujal Wujal Hospital.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said they were working to give support to the people stranded on the roof, which includes a seven-year-old and health workers.
"The safest place for those people is on the roof," Chelepy said.
"The water is flowing very fast in the area and we are still seeing heavy rain and to (complete) the rescue safely, we need to have the right resources.
"We have support from the Australian Defence Force. Our priority is to get support to Wujal Wujal."
There has been a fresh severe weather warning issued from the Bureau of Meteorology.
The BoM forecasts heavy intense rainfall with dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, with six-hourly rainfall totals of up to 300mm to hit the region.
Port Douglas, Mossman, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, Daintree Village, Hope Vale and Julatten could be impacted.
Residents and businesses living in the Cairns region have been told to use water for emergency purposes only.
The state government warned via social media that the council's treatment plants were offline due to the ongoing flooding.
"Water supply stored in the reservoirs is reaching a critical level and residents are being urged to use water for emergency use only," the warning said.
"Water from the reservoirs is safe to drink and does not need to be boiled.
"The notice to conserve water is likely to remain in place until for the remainder of this week."
Cairns Airport has just given an update via social media, confirming operations will not recommence today.
"We have been onsite since early this morning inspecting the runway, and have held briefings with our airline partners and other key stakeholders. The flooding on the aerodrome has subsided. However, given our proximity to the Barron River, there is significant debris that needs to be removed and cleaned," the update said.
"We will then be in a position to assess our runway infrastructure, to determine its serviceability. This will take some time. As such, we can confirm that operations will not recommence at Cairns Airport today. Please do not travel to the airport today.
"Safety is our highest priority. Our team and the wider Cairns Airport community are working tirelessly to enable operations as quickly as possible.
"All flights scheduled for today have been cancelled or delayed, and travellers are encouraged to contact their airline directly for information about specific flights.
"We also wish to reiterate that our domestic and international terminals, including the car parks, have not been adversely impacted," the update said.
Another update from the airport will come at 4pm.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles has told Today it had been a "very busy night" for emergency services and residents living in Far North Queensland.
"This is an extraordinary amount of rain and while we were expecting very heavy rainfall in the wake of the cyclone, this is next level," he said.
"I know our teams are doing absolutely what they can do to keep Queenslanders safe.
"We need people to get themselves to evacuation centres if they're concerned. If they can't do so safely, we need them to contact us."
The latest from the Queensland BoM:
"Since 9:00 am Sunday, rainfall totals up to 820 mm have been observed over the Daintree River catchment and up to 590 mm over the Mossman River catchment.
A coastal trough linked to ex-tropical cyclone Jasper has produced significant rainfall across parts of the North Tropical Coast in the last 48 hours. Heavy rainfall is generally expected to ease slowly during late Monday morning with the potential for significant easing during the afternoon.
Flood levels above the record 2019 event (12.60 m) are occurring at Daintree Village. Across the Mossman and Bloomfield River catchments, river levels are elevated and further rises are possible with continuing heavy rainfall.
The situation will continue to be closely monitored and river level predictions will be updated as required.
A severe weather warning is current for heavy, locally intense rainfall for the Daintree and Mossman River catchments."
Thank you for joining us for our live coverage of the major flooding emergency in far north Queensland, where large parts are under water this morning, including the runways of Cairns Airport.
The city is also hours away from potentially running out of drinking water. Meanwhile, hundreds of people needed rescuing across the region overnight.
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