Townsville in Queensland's north has "dodged a bullet", with the Ross River peaking lower than expected, after days of intense rainfall have left northern communities devastated.It was feared the Ross River in Townsville would exceed the major flood level of 1.8m and reach about 2m in coming hours, however the level is at 1.66m as of 10.30am local time (11.30am AEDT) and falling.Although the severe weather has now passed, major flood warnings remain in place for the Herbert, Haughton and Upper Burdekin rivers and residents in black-zone communities have been warned not to return until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.READ MORE: The latest on power outages in Queensland's floods - and what's causing themPremier David Crisafulli today said the region north of Townsville from Yabulu to Cardwell had copped the brunt of the system.Flooding in his hometown of Ingham, 100km to the north of Townsville, was the worst since the major flood event in 1967, he said."The river has started to drop and with it is the realisation of how significant this event has been," Crisafulli said."The devastation is quite frankly incredible."He said workers were assessing the damage at a substation that has been offline for several days, cutting power to 7000 people.In hot and humid weather, and with a massive clean up ahead, he said getting the power back on to homes was of the utmost priority.READ MORE: Trump backflips on move that would have sparked 'dumbest' trade warThe Defence Force would be dropping generators into the region by helicopter, he said."You are a very resilient people, but resilience doesn't mean you should be left on your own," Crisafulli said."I want people in this community to know that we will keep coming back until the job is done."He said fixing damage on the crucial Bruce Highway was a "top priority", but it could take some time.READ MORE: Teenage lifesaver killed by shark north of Brisbane swam at beach every dayFlood-stricken residents have also reported an increase in crocodiles, which have been washed from their habitats by fierce floodwaters.While the Bureau of Meteorology says the immediate threat of severe weather has passed, isolated heavy rainfall is still possible over the next few days."While rich moisture and some instability will remain in place over the area, a gradual weakening of the low and monsoon flow has seen rainfall ease below severe thresholds," it said in an update this morning.READ MORE: 'Stupid and white': Sam Kerr's expletive-laden comments after arrestReporting from Tully, north of Yermo, this morning, 9News Queensland weather presenter Garry Youngberry said the rain has extended 1000km west to the regional inland city of Mount Isa.Despite the rain gradually easing, he said the poor weather was far from over."There is still a chance we could see anywhere between 300mm and 500mm over the next six or seven days."

Deadly floodwaters triggered by record rainfall in Australia’s northeast rose for a third day Monday as authorities warned flood-stricken communities to brace themselves for further destruction.

Flooding in Australia has inflicted "incredible" devastation on communities across northern Queensland, the state's premier has said, even though conditions are easing faster than predicted. Thousands of residents who evacuated from their homes are set to return on Tuesday but it is feared hundreds of homes and businesses have been inundated.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Tuesday could bring heavy rainfall between Cairns and Townsville with a severe weather warning in place between Cardwell and Yabulu.

Storms have already dumped more than a metre of rain in two days in parts of Queensland, engulfing homes, businesses and roads in muddy waters, authorities said. Aerial footage showed rural communities surrounded by the floodwaters,

A further 100 homes in Townsville are forecast to go under water.