Residents in Rockhampton, in Queensland, will be forced to evacuate if they don't move voluntarily out of the flood-affected region, Australian officials said.
Officials said up to 4,000 parcels in the city could be flooded by Tuesday when the Fitzroy River is expected to peak, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday.
Floodwaters, showing no signs of abating soon across the state of Queensland have affected a landmass greater than the size of New South Wales and the Air Force is being used to help evacuated residents.
Meteorologists said Rockhampton and the town of Emerald could face the worst flooding in 30 years during the weekend.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard toured flood-stricken areas of Queensland Friday and announced affected families would receive financial assistance.
"We will make available to families who have lost their homes, or whose homes have sustained major damage, payments under the Australian government disaster relief payment system, $1,000 per adult and $400 per child," she said.
Rockhampton Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Alistair Dawson says he understands residents' desires to remain in their homes but their safety was the top priority, the ABC said.
"If we look at where we live and our ties to our place of where we live, we have strong bonds to that," he said. "I totally understand the angst people must feel in evacuation."