Residents on Australia's east coast were warned Monday of an even bigger danger than the torrential rain engorging already swollen rivers, dpa reported.
The people of Ingham, a town in far-north Queensland now isolated by flooding, were told to look out for crocodiles liberated from creeks by the rising waters.
"People are sighting crocs," Ingham mayor Andrew Lancini said. "Probably not as many as were sighted in 2009 where quite a few were sighted back then."
The Central Highlands and Coalfields had some of the heaviest falls over the 24-hour period, recording 190 millimetres. The record was claimed by Springsure resident Mary Tyson, who had 230 millimetres on her property.
"We always reckon if we're in trouble, the rest of Queensland is awash," she told national broadcaster ABC.