Rockhampton water levels rise

The new year has been ushered in from the safety of evacuation centres for many Queenslanders, with the crisis in Rockhampton deepeing.

Residents in Rockhampton were last night evacuating their homes as Queensland's flood crisis escalated.

Water is expected to sever roads and rail links to Rockhampton as early as today, the airport is also expected to be shut down this weekend.

Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter says if flood levels reach the forecast 9.4 metres on Tuesday up to 40 per cent of the city could be affected.

Meanwhile, at least 1,200 Emerald residents had been forced into makshift emergency accommodation yesterday.

The towns Nogoa River peaked at 16 metres and was expected to remain at that level for several hours.