Persistent showers are continuing to lash down on flood-affected areas of north and far-north Queensland as the federal government approves more financial aid for impacted residents.
The federal government has announced a further round of support for Queenslanders under the Disaster Recovery Allowance starting from 2pm today.
Those in the Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Hitchinbrook, Townsville and Palm Island LGAs who have lost income or the ability to work may be eligible to receive payments worth up to 13 weeks of income.
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"Communities across far north and north Queensland have been impacted by heavy rainfall and severe flooding, damaging roads, isolating communities and making it difficult for people to get to work," Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said.
"We're moving quickly to activate financial assistance for impacted individuals and families, ensuring they are supported through these challenging times."
The federal government will also fly in 300 additional emergency personnel from interstate and work with supermarkets to get groceries into flood-affected regions.
Since daily rainfall totals exceeding 1000mm sparked flooding across the north last week, two people have died and 28 state schools are currently closed.
In the inundated town of Ingham, police are today searching the floodwaters near Cooper Street for a man last seen being swept away about 5.15pm yesterday.
He remains unaccounted for despite water and aerial searches this morning.
He is described as Caucasian, about 188cm tall, with dark hair. He was wearing black shorts, a black singlet, a black backpack and arrived on a blue bicycle.
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Ingham had been cut off from power and had scarce food and water for the past few days due to the flooding.
This morning, residents were told there was a water supply failure and the water was not safe to drink.
Speaking to the media from Ingham this afternoon, Premier David Crisafulli said the water supply has since been re-established.
"We were able to airlift some generators into here and that was able to get the system up and running again. There were some communication issues, that's been sorted but this community didn't have running water for a period," he said.
A similar emergency warning has been issued for Charter Towers over a disruption to the water supply.
Residents are urged to immediately conserve their water use for emergencies only, including drinking and toilets.
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Crisafulli said helicopters are continuing to bring in generators to essential assets in Ingham today and crews are working to restore power to Lower Herbert by tomorrow.
He added that restoring power to the flooded substation will remain a major issue.
"We have choppered in workers, and there are others coming right now on foot, to go to that substation and first begin the assessment of how badly impacted it was and secondly work out what needs to be done to get it repaired," he said.
"That substation is a really, really vital piece of the puzzle. We've also brought in an engineer from Townsville."
Telstra crews are also airlifting into the region to restore service to pockets currently without.
In a message to Queenslanders, Crisafulli said authorities will be there for flood-affected towns until the disaster is over.
"Wherever you are… we are going to be there with you for the long haul and we are going to get you back on your feet," he said.
"What has been thrown at Queenslanders has truly been a one in 100, maybe even more, but people in this part of the world are one in 100 and they're pretty tough."
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Death toll rises to two
Crisafulli reminded residents that they were still in a state of emergency after the death toll rose to two yesterday.
An 82-year-old woman was discovered dead when floodwaters receded at a cane paddock on Fulton Drive in Bemerside, near Ingham, yesterday morning.
She had been last seen in a two-storey house about 6pm the previous day.
On Sunday, a 63-year-old woman died in Ingham when an SES boat carrying volunteers and residents hit a tree and flipped into the water.
Her body was found near Rutledge Street.
"The community has lost two of its own and we don't want one more loss of life so stay safe and that goes across Queensland," Crisafulli said.
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Persistent wet weather sparks flood warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology has today forecast showers and storms to continue throughout the region this week thanks to an active monsoon trough.
Coastal and inland areas are likely to be impacted, with severe storms possible for the region, including the regional city of Townsville.
"Flood watches have been issued for much of northern and inland Queensland, including parts of the Burdekin, Gulf, and Thomson river catchments," the bureau said.
"Severe thunderstorms will continue to bring more localised heavy falls, with fast-moving flash flooding a risk."
Flood warnings have been issued across the state with the Herbert River seeing major flooding as waters exceed 12 metres.
"It just shows that this system continues to have some might in it, and we have to make sure we continue to heed those warnings," Crisafulli said.
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Crisafulli said the weather system was widespread, adding that residents were forced to evacuate 600km west of the coast in Georgetown last night.
Emergency alerts have now been cancelled or downgraded, and residents are returning to see the damage that has been left behind in the regional city of Townsville, home to 200,00 people.
Many properties in the city's "black zone", the six suburbs most at risk of flooding, appear to have dodged major flooding damage.
Authorities say it is safe for residents to return to their homes, but they should take care.
Further north of Townsville, Ingham remains partially submerged and residents who evacuated are still unable to return.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the worst of the deluge is over but thunderstorms are forecast for coming days.
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