The North Queensland flood disaster has officially been declared a catastrophe after a slow moving monsoon dumped record-breaking rain over the Townsville region for days.
Here are some of the most powerful images from the natural disaster that has inundated suburbs and threatened lives.
Community comes together to help each other
Hundreds of Townsville residents have been evacuated after the floodgates to the city's Ross River Dam were fully opened.
Extent of the damage to be revealed
As the damage bill for the disaster is still being assessed, residents face a massive clean-up ahead.
Delight for farmers dealing with drought
But it hasn't been all bad news, as drought-stricken graziers in the state's west rejoice as the deluge brings much needed rain.
