Australia’s military steps in to tackle ‘once-in-a-century’ monsoon floods as residents flee and crocodiles roam the streets

Australia’s military has been deployed to tackle devastating “once-in-a-century” floods that have inundated homes, schools and airports in the country’s northeast, forcing hundreds to flee and bringing crocodiles onto the streets.

The Australian Defence Forces filled sandbags, deployed amphibious cargo vehicles and helped pluck flashlight-wielding residents from their rooftops Monday, as monsoon rains drenched the northern state of Queensland.

Australia’s tropical north typically experiences heavy rains during the monsoon season, but the recent downpour has far exceeded normal levels.

The authorities were forced to open floodgates late Sunday, unleashing what they called “dangerous and high velocity flows.”

Images from the city of Townsville showed cars mostly submerged and picket fences barely poking through waist-deep floodwaters.