Communities cut off as floodwaters rise in northern Queensland

Residents in Queensland's north are battling intense flood waters that have seen homes inundated.

Several towns have been cut off and it could be days before roads and bridges can re-open.

On Friday, the town of Ingham was a disaster zone. Roads are now raging rivers, in scenes that haven't been witnessed by locals in almost a decade.

Bridges have been blocked, and if you want to travel on the Bruce Highway, you're best off buying a boat.

Inside homes in Cordelia, the impact is inescapable.

Near the town of Tully, 76 students on an Echo Adventure Camp remains stranded.

The distinctive north Queensland sense of humour has kept most powering on.

But the grim reality of what will be a costly clean-up is hard for some to handle.

"It rattles you," one fish and chip shop owner told 7 News.

"It really gets you emotionally sometimes, but you just have to get through it and push through it."

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South of Cairns, a sparkie used an axe to smash open a car window in order to save the driver.

Other motorists have since pushed their way out of trouble.

In Innisfail, they had boats at the ready, while Halifax has shops that now feature water views.

With luck, the worst of the weather system might soon be over.

The system is easing from the south and heading northwards, bringing much-needed relief from the rains that are usually celebrated.