Mitchell residents cut off from the Queensland town's flood evacuation centre have sought refuge in the local pub.
Premier Anna Bligh declared a disaster situation for the western Queensland town on Thursday, giving police and emergency crews the power to enforce mandatory evacuations.
The Maranoa River, which runs through the outback town, is expected to reach nine metres and has already started to flood homes.
Hotel Mitchell owner Sue Marks told AAP that residents in low lying areas near the river had evacuated to the RSL Sports Ground but many people's access to the centre had already been cut, due to rapidly rising floodwaters.
'We're all on a little corner at the moment, waiting for the water to come up through the storm water drains,' Mrs Marks said.
'It's not a pretty sight. It's the worst I've ever seen it.
'We've still got power, so we'll keep going.'
Mrs Marks said she and husband John had prepared emergency supplies on the pub's second storey and could already see people wading through floodwaters in the street trying to flee their properties.
The Maranoa Regional Council has urged residents to remain calm as emergency evacuations start.
