300 people rescued from floodwaters in northeast Australia

The far northern part of Australia's Queensland state has been hit with record rainfall, flooding towns and closing the region's major airport, authorities said. More than 300 people have been rescued and the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal, 110 kilometers (68 miles) north of Cairns has been cut off by floodwaters.

Dozens of residents were clinging to roofs, officials said on Monday. Queensland state Premier Steven Miles said the level of rainfall in the area was "next level." He said all available resources have been allocated to evacuate those cut off by the floods.

Cairns Airport was closed on Monday due to flooding and authorities were concerned that the city of 160,000 people will lose drinking water. While rain was easing in Cairns, severe weather warnings were in place is nearby centers including Port Douglas, Daintree, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal and Hope Vale with more rain forecast.

A Category 2 tropical cyclone passed close by Wujal Wujal on Wednesday.Roads and railway lines were cut, communities were isolated and 14,000 homes and businesses were without power on Monday.

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