Waterlogged city waits to learn extent of latest floods

There were sighs of relief when the Burnett River peaked at 7.4 metres despite inundating about 200 homes, cutting off roads and shutting schools.

It was short of the 7.6m authorities had feared floodwaters would reach, just shy of a 2010 disaster when 400 people evacuated after the river peaked at 7.92m. 

It marked the third major flood in 16 years for Bundaberg which was devastated by 9.53m floodwaters in 2013.

For Bundaberg resident Zane Mackey, who works at the Oscar Motel, locals had seen this movie before - and this time, they were ready.

"There's obviously a lot of tension around, but I feel people are a lot more prepared compared to the 2010 and 2013 floods, which were a bit more out of the blue," he told AAP.

"From what I've seen, people have been a lot more proactive, as opposed to panic and running around."

The city famous for its rum distillery did not appear in a hurry to toast its good fortune as floodwaters gradually began to recede on Wednesday, with a massive clean-up ahead.

The full extent of the damage may not be known for days and could take months to repair, Bundaberg mayor Helen Blackburn said.

"We're thinking a few hundred homes and properties have been impacted at this stage," she said.

"In the coming day or two, we will be looking to open the bridges again and we'll also be looking to assess each property.

"It's likely that we won't know the full extent (of damage) for probably a week." 

A handful of schools were closed while about 2500 people lost power as the city of more than 50,000 people braced for yet another flood recovery effort.

"It's hard to keep picking yourself off the canvas," Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told reporters in Bundaberg on Wednesday.

"Proud communities like this find a way to keep bouncing back."

The premier pledged government help for the community and local farmers after floodwaters claimed about 1200 livestock, damaged 1000km of fencing and caused immense crop losses.

Locals in Bundaberg were asked to leave late on Tuesday before the community's two major bridges were closed, leaving an estimated 10,000 people isolated.

The emergency alert was downgraded on Wednesday afternoon to watch and act, but residents were told it was still not safe to return to their homes.

Authorities pulled off a couple of rescues, with a 62-year-old man charged after driving into floodwaters and becoming trapped early on Wednesday.

Further southwest at Chinchilla, about 10 businesses were inundated as residents waited for floodwaters to peak.

Flooding has also impacted the Northern Territory, inundating remote communities and affecting the water supply.

Darwin River dam's pumps were shut down, forcing the NT capital and Palmerston residents to conserve and boil water.

Authorities said a temporary generator had reactivated one pump but it may take five days to provide clean water.

Darwin residents have been stocking up on bottled water, toilet paper and food at supermarkets, leaving some shelves bare.

Flash flooding at Darwin River south of the NT capital impacted homes on Monday, with several residents rescued including a mother and her children from a roof by locals.

Hundreds were also airlifted from the remote communities of Daly River, Palumpa, Beswick and Jilkminggan over the weekend, mostly to Darwin.

Katherine residents have begun cleaning up but hundreds remain in shelters with some houses still without power.

The Katherine River is rising again following rainfall with crocodiles seen about town.