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Over 900 people are in evacuation centers and all local schools have been closed, Palszczuk told Australia's \"The Today Show.\"

\"It's basically not just a one in 20-year event, it's a one in 100-year event,\" she said Saturday, according to the AFP.

\"PHOTO:
Dave Acree/ EPA via Shutterstock
PHOTO: An aerial view shows houses inundated with flood waters in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Feb. 4, 2019.
>

Heavy rain continues to drench Townsville, with 6 to 10 inches of rainfall lashing the city since Sunday morning, according to the Townsville Bulletin. Around 17,000 properties in Townsville are believed to be without power.

The Queensland Bureau of Meteorology issued a major flood warning for Townsville on Sunday night, saying that “conditions will change rapidly & continuously” due to “unprecedented areas of flooding.”

?? Dangerous & high velocity flows will occur in the #RossRiver tonight & into Monday. Unprecedented areas of flooding will occur in Townsville. Expect access routes to be cut. Conditions will change rapidly & continuously. Listen to emergency services. #IfItsFloodedForgetIt pic.twitter.com/mOEkfhgtl1

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 3, 2019

Queensland police and the army have been drafted to help respond to the crisis.

We're out and about with the @AustralianArmy helping people out of their homes. Despite the hardship being faced across the city, there are still many smiles on faces! We're all in this together. #bigwet pic.twitter.com/p9Y6UbXSeD

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) February 4, 2019

Local authorities have used dam releases at the local Ross River dam to ease the impact of the rainfall, the Bureau of Meteorology said, but there remains a “risk to life and property.”

\"PHOTO:
Dave Acree/EPA via Shutterstock
PHOTO: An aerial view shows residents leading a small boat through a flooded street in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Feb. 4, 2019.
>

The flooding comes as Australia experienced its hottest month on record in January, according to the BBC.

The extreme weather had a significant impact on the local environment. Last month, 90 wild horses were found dead in the Outback because of dried up watering holes.

\"PHOTO:
STR/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: Flood-affected people are evacuated from Townsville, Feb. 4, 2019, as the recent downpour in Australia.
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