As north Queensland's flooding disaster enters the 11th day, two men have been reported missing in Townsville, prompting a water and land search.
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Overnight, three people were plucked from their sinking cars by rescue crews during a 12-hour period.
Police were no closer to finding the missing men, 21-year-old Hughie Morton and 23-year-old Troy Mathieson, after speaking to their family and friends.
They were last seen on Ross River Road in the Townsville suburb of Aitkenvale early on Monday morning.
Swift water rescue crews found a car under a bridge in Deep Creek, Townsville, about 1.30am on Tuesday and took the driver to higher ground.
Two more motorists were rescued about 1.45pm on Monday in the flooded Hermit Park suburb. They were pulled to safety just in time, with their car almost fully submerged.
During the 48 hours to 5am on Tuesday, the State Emergency Service received almost 1200 calls for help, mostly from Townsville residents requesting sandbags and supplies.
The water level in Ross River Dam has continued to fall after the floodgates were fully opened about 9pm on Sunday as the dam neared 250 per cent capacity.
The level had dropped to almost 200 per cent by 6.30am on Tuesday.
Rain was still coming on Monday as emergency workers used boats, helicopters and tip-trucks to rescue more than 1000 residents from Townsville's flooded suburbs.
They were helped by citizens, including some in a fleet of tinnies who braved murky floodwater filled with snakes and crocodiles to help their neighbours.
Townsville mayor Jenny Hill vented her frustration on Monday after some residents in areas predicted to be inundated had to be asked to leave twice.
"You can’t say you weren’t warned something might happen," she said.
"What do we have to do to make people move?"
Scenes from the floods showed grim-faced residents carrying pets and whatever they could as they waded to dry land.
Townsville Airport reopened at 2pm on Monday. Large numbers of local schools and childcare centres remained closed on Tuesday and Townsville courthouses were also shut.
The monsoon trough dumping the rain has begun moving south but is unpredictable and dangerous conditions are expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
About 1000 people remain in six evacuation centres but some residents are refusing to leave their homes.
In flooded Hermit Park, near the city centre, Andrew Roberts says he and his wife, Cass, have food, water and a radio — and won't be leaving their two-storey home of 14 years.
"It's a little bit scary because when it floods in Townsville, the crocs get into the water," Mr Roberts told AAP.
"My biggest concern is getting eaten."
It made crossing the murky water in their house to refuel the generator a hair-raising experience, he said.
Up to 500 homes have been inundated by floodwater in Townsville, although there are fears 2000 more may have been damaged.
An emergency alert was issued for Bluewater, Bluewater Park, Toolakea and Saunders Beach, north-east of Townsville, early on Tuesday morning.
Townsville remains the hardest-hit area although floodwater is affecting communities as far west as Mt Isa.
The one-in-100-year deluge has caused catastrophic flooding as rivers and creeks burst their banks, spilling water through streets and consuming entire suburbs.
A year's worth of rain has been dumped on north Queensland in a week and Sunday night was described by authorities as the worst so far.
- with AAP
