CYCLONE Marcia shocked us.

On Thursday morning, Bureau of Meterology experts were telling us that Marcia (then a Category 1) would strengthen into a Category 2 but the thought of it becoming a Category 3 was "very unlikely".

By the time it made landfall 24 hours later, it was a Category 5 -- among the most powerful systems ever faced by the Queensland coastline -- and it was heading first for Yeppoon, then to the heavily-populated centre of Rockhampton.

People were told to stay inside, to be prepared, that lives could be lost.

In the aftermath, we are left with images of trees uprooted, homes torn asunder and rushing water paralysing our communities.

But in the face of this hardship, this damage, Queenslanders are preparing to recover.

That's what happens in times of disaster. We come together to rebuild.

We have pulled together some of the top images and videos from our talented photographers, intrepid reporters and readers on the scene.

Open the photo gallery below in 'full screen mode' to see how Queensland faced Marcia.

And check out our great videos as Queensland was soaked by Cyclone Marcia and wild weather:

WATCH: Man makes incredible escape from submerged car

Rockhampton's CBD damage at the eye of the cyclone