Queensland is suffering a disaster "of biblical proportions" that will set back its economic recovery, state Treasurer Andrew Fraser says.

Rockhampton's airport is closing to commercial flights this afternoon as floodwaters take hold in the Queensland town.

Queensland's flood crisis has affected 200,000 people over an area bigger than France and Germany combined.

Christchurch's Boxing Day aftershocks and the recent wet weather have seen more than 1000 claims lodged with the Earthquake Commission.

Homes are underwater in the city of Bundaberg and residents are fleeing Emerald as Queensland's flood crisis continues to take a heavy toll.

Entire Queensland towns have been inundated and more could go under in a deluge that's swamped the state makes its way towards the sea.

Mass evacuations are under way across flooded Queensland with disasters declared in the inland towns of Theodore, Dalby and Chinchilla.

Residents in the Australian state of Victoria remain on emergency alert for flooding today.

Flooding in NSW looks set to cost the state and federal governments billions of dollars in relief.

Torrential rain and gale-force winds have battered the English county of Cornwall.