WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Monsoon rains unleashed flooding in Australia’s Queensland that have claimed the lives of two people as the week-long deluge dropped months of rainfall in a few days, devastating small rural towns on the state’s north coast.

Flood waters are rising in the Australian state of Queensland after heavy rainfall. The area between Townsville and Cairns in the north-east is particularly badly affected - a region that is also very popular with tourists.

Australian authorities warned that a major flood risk will persist in the northeastern state of Queensland despite torrential rain easing on Monday (February 3).

By Kristine Sabillo Northeastern Australia, particularly the state of Queensland, has faced record-breaking rainfall of up to 2 meters, or 6.5 feet, since Feb. 1, reportedly leaving at least two people dead.

Thousands of people across northeastern Australia have been forced out of their homes by historic flooding and the rain is not over. The flooding turned deadly in Queensland on Sunday. Watch this video for the latest.

Check out this incredible footage of the current storm in Australia. Tenille Abbott from Queensland, Australia captured the video in her hometown of the thunder and lightning beginning to start. The storm has now progressed into something much worse with many households without power and several people injured.