Huge spider spotted clinging to branch to escape Queensland floodwater

Residents of the flooded Queensland town of Ingham are being warned the threat is far from over with floodwaters receding slower than expected.

It's not just locals seeking refuge - a massive spider has been spotted escaping the fast-moving floodwaters by clinging to a branch.

ts size and appearance shocked many online users with one Facebook user saying: "That isn’t a spider that’s a monster!"

Concerned locals did not leave it fretting above the fast-moving water but instead rescued it - moving it to dry land near a pharmacy.

More than 700mm of rain has fallen in a number of catchment areas in the past four days, with The Boulders, south of Cairns, receiving 1009mm in the seven days to 9am Saturday.

More than 200 homes were inundated at Ingham, where flood waters are now starting to recede, and some residents at Innisfail have had to evacuate.

Watch the full story above.