Further north in Ingham, a rural town of about 4,500 people, the waters had most likely flooded “well north” of 100 homes, Mr Crisafulli said in a separate interview with national broadcaster ABC.
Townsville residents have been cautiously told they can begin returning to their homes as the city appeared to "dodge a bullet" with easing rainfall.
More than 7000 homes have been left without power as deadly floods smash Queensland in scenes of “incredible devastation”.