Now, unbelievably, there is a need for flood relief after North West Queensland farmers were lashed with the worst flooding event on record.

Helicopter footage of the flood resembles an inland sea.

The damage is so bad that entire farms have been inundated and some cattle producers have lost most of their herd.

It is estimated that more than 300,000 cattle have perished.

Those that survived are now battling a heatwave with temperatures over 40 degrees.

When the unprecedented deluge came these farmers had been battling drought for several years. 

Merriwa beef farmer Cassandra McLaren is taking care of the logistics for Need For Feed Disaster Relief’s push to get hay to starving stock.

Four road trains of hay left on Monday.

At this stage the fodder will be taken to the Winton area and delivered to the cattle via helicopter.

“As a farmer to see the images coming out of the area it is just devastating, I’m flabbergasted,” she said.

“They’ve got a long journey ahead of them to rebuild from this, it wasn't predicted to be this bad and there was nothing that they could have done to prevent it.

“We will support them in whatever way we can and will be guided by what they need.”

Charity Rural Aid has already spent $650,000 on hay relief and sent 50 truck loads to the disaster zone.

CEO Charles Alder said some farmers had hay in the shed but could not access it because of the floodwater.

With cattle spread across a vast distance, he said helicopter deliveries were the only options.

Drought Angels has launched an appeal to raise $100,000 to help the farmers get back on their feet.

Aussie Helpers is also providing relief in conjunction with The One Light Charity Foundation.