Toowoomba residents have never seen anything like Monday's flash floods, according to Steve Etwell, the editor of Toowoomba daily newspaper, The Chronicle.
"People have died just because they're walking down a fairly main street, and been hit by a wall of water.
"None of our long-term residents can recall anything like
this," Mr Etwell said.
"Everyone is in shock. We can't quite believe what's hit us."
On January 10, 1976 - 35 years ago to the day - Toowoomba was damaged by a violent hailstorm that destroyed 80 per cent of roofs in the city.
Mr Etwell said his newspaper had a good team of reporters and photographers covering the floods, although some staff members had been unable to get to work because of the floodwaters.
"They're doing a great job, but it's pretty hard on them."
Mr Etwell said this time last year his reporters were writing stories about the drought situation.
"Our [town water supply] was at 7 per cent - well, now it's at 100 per cent."
Mr Etwell said most of the buildings in Toowoomba's CBD had been severely damaged, as well as roads and bridges. "I'd say the cost will run to the millions of dollars."
And the hard times aren't over yet for Toowoomba, Mr Etwell said. "It's raining as I speak, and we're expecting more in the coming days."
