Dozens of Queensland communities still cut off as rain eases, floodwaters recede

The rain has stopped and floodwaters are receding in Australia's Queensland but it has left behind $1 billion worth of damage. 

And many communities are still cut off, so the military has swung into action - flying in tandem into the rural town of Wujal Wujal. 

They evacuated all 300 residents from the town, who had been stranded and isolated for days. 

"That community has never seen water through Wujal Wujal like that and the pace that water came through at," said Queensland Police deputy commissioner Shane Chelepy. 

It was one of 35 rural communities still partially or completely cut off. 

People in Far North Queensland are used to riding out the wet season. 

But even though Cyclone Jasper only made landfall as category two, it caused one of the worst floods in living memory. 

Most were not prepared, nor warned, about the record rain.  

"We thought we were going to be pretty safe but obviously not," said one local man. 

And as the floodwaters slowly recede, there's still a worrying threat.  

"It remains a concern there are crocodiles in these parts and these waters," said Steve Miles, Premier of Queensland. 

And many have indeed been spotted swimming past houses.