Although the full extent of the damage is not yet known, Roche said reports from the Emerald region suggested the pattern and severity of the flooding was unique.

Hundreds of Emerald residents from low-lying streets were evacuated this morning, with further evacuations underway.

"At this stage, our immediate concern is for hundreds of employees and their families who live in Emerald and may be faced with evacuating their homes," Roche said.

"As for the industry, it is evident that Ensham Resources' operations alongside the nearby Nogoa River have been seriously affected, including the inundation of a massive dragline that could not be moved to higher ground in time."

Coal production in other areas of Bowen Basin has had to be suspended or reduced due to safety concerns and restricted access.

"Disruptions extend to the north of the Bowen Basin, where Xstrata Coal is reporting lost production from its Newlands and Collinsville operations because of localised flooding and persistent rain," Roche said.

"While there have been some weather-induced rail interruptions, a number of mines whose production has been halted or severely curtailed are continuing to rail coal from mine site stockpiles."

The Bowen Basin is the main home of Queensland's export coal industry, which is worth more than $18 billion a year to the stat's economy and directly employs almost 23,000 people.