-With AAP.

Emergency crews are stretched to the limit in flood-hit Townsville, with hundreds of people still waiting for help and evacuation centres filling up fast.

Authorities have warned between 10,000 and 20,000 homes could be at risk as unprecedented water releases from the city’s swollen dam have sent torrents of water down the Ross River and into the city, swamping roads, yards and homes.

Crocodiles have been spotted in suburban streets, and the water is teeming with snakes.

Schools and the airport are closed, but with days of more rain ahead, the crisis is far from over.

Here are 17 photos showing the devastation.

Image: AAP.

Image: AAP.

Image: AAP.

Townsville floods 2019. #bigwet pic.twitter.com/kve5FzAyir

— Phil Staley (@Phil_Staley) February 3, 2019

Townsville’s Castletown Shopping Centre. And yes they are waves. @abcnews pic.twitter.com/kdz1OXIZg0

— Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) February 3, 2019

@bbcnrws I’m in Townsville. City flooding now. Aplins Weir this arvo pic.twitter.com/AGLklDv2dJ

— brenda squirrell (@SquirrellBrenda) February 3, 2019

Catastrophic situation in @TownsvilleNQ with more flooding expected! Feeling for everyone with so many houses inundated ☹️ #flooding #Townsville pic.twitter.com/4Va1jirCYh

— Barry Gibson (@GibsonBarry) February 3, 2019

Love seeing them @AustralianArmy choppers in the Townsville skies. Just wish is wasn’t necessary at the moment! #Townsvillefloods @abcbrisbane pic.twitter.com/HheMaSeFWG

— Allyson Horn (@allysonhorn) February 3, 2019