Crocodile swept into Cairns, families stranded on rooftops as heavy rain batters northern Queensland

He also warned of dire water shortages in Cairns, where the local council has warned people to conserve water for emergency use only. After rescuing those still stranded, authorities must next contend with problems accessing drinking water, sewage systems, power and telecommunications, and clearing blocked roads, he said.

Authorities have also warned flood-hit Queensland residents to be wary of snakes and crocodiles in the floodwaters.

Rangers in the town of Ingham said Monday they had removed a 2.5 meter- (8 feet) long saltwater crocodile from a flooded creek near a public park. Police told CNN two children called them after spotting the reptile, with workers from the state environment department arriving after seeing social media videos.

The rangers used a harpoon to catch the crocodile and remove it from the creek. “People in flood affected areas cannot be complacent and the capture of this animal is a timely reminder that crocodiles can turn up in unusual places, including places they have never been seen before,” the state environment department said in a statement.