Record rainfall has caused massive flooding in far north Queensland, which authorities say is shaping up to be the worst in the Australian region's history.
Thousands of people have been evacuated, but others remain stranded in a water trap, the BBC reported.
Extreme weather conditions caused by a tropical cyclone dumped in some areas the equivalent of a year's worth of rain.
Pictures from the region show sunken planes at Cairns Airport, a crocodile in the city center and people fleeing their homes in boats.
There are no reports of deaths or missing people, but a 10-year-old girl is in a critical condition after being struck by lightning in Cairns.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue for another 24 hours.
Many homes have been flooded, power and roads have been cut, and safe drinking water has dwindled.
Among the most affected is the city of Cairns, where more than 2 million m of precipitation has fallen since the beginning of the meteorological event.
Queensland Premier Stephen Miles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the natural disaster was "the worst I can remember".
"I've spoken to Cairns locals on the ground ... and they say they've never seen anything like it," he said.
He said the immediate concern was to provide safe places for people trapped by the rising waters, such as those in the remote town of Wujal Wujal, about 175km north of Cairns.
Nine people - including a sick child - spent the night on the roof of a hospital./BGNES
