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Australian state of Queensland hit by flooding | Australian state of Queensland hit by flooding |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Three people have died and hundreds of homes are under water after heavy rain brought flooding to parts of the Australian state of Queensland. | |
The town of Bundaberg, where rescuers have been trying to airlift some residents to safety, is expecting its worst floods on record. | |
In Brisbane, the state capital, almost 5,000 homes and properties are at risk. | In Brisbane, the state capital, almost 5,000 homes and properties are at risk. |
The rain was brought by Tropical Cyclone Oswald, which is now affecting the northern part of New South Wales. | |
Two years ago, flooding in Queensland left 35 people dead, with Bundaberg among the towns affected. | Two years ago, flooding in Queensland left 35 people dead, with Bundaberg among the towns affected. |
Bundaberg Mayor Mal Foreman said the floods would be "far worse" than 2011. Residents have been told to evacuate in some areas after the Burnett River burst its banks. | |
At least 1,200 properties have flooded and some 30 people are trapped on the roofs of their houses in the north of the city. | |
"We're going to try and rescue those people this morning," said Queensland Premier Campbell Newman. | |
"Even though we have helicopters, the weather conditions are appalling and dangerous for flying. The floodwaters are very swift and it's also dangerous to go out in flood boats." | |
Swept away | |
In Brisbane, which was paralysed by flooding two years ago, water has been creeping into low-lying parts of the central business district. | |
Residents of the Lockyer Valley, which was the scene of deadly flash floods in 2011, have also been told to evacuate as creeks and rivers rise. | |
In Ipswich, the Bremer River is expected to peak later in the day, prompting flood warnings. | |
Police said the body of an elderly man who went to check on a yacht north of Bundaberg had been recovered on Sunday. Two men swept away by flooding in separate incidents in Queensland were also found dead on Monday. | |
The BBC's Nick Bryant reports from Sydney that the flooding is also affecting northern New South Wales, a state still fighting bushfires. | The BBC's Nick Bryant reports from Sydney that the flooding is also affecting northern New South Wales, a state still fighting bushfires. |
It is a measure of the extremes in weather that Australia is experiencing that the Prime Minister Julia Gillard is visiting fire-affected communities in Victoria, while the leader of the opposition, Tony Abbott, is travelling to flood-affected areas, our correspondent adds. | It is a measure of the extremes in weather that Australia is experiencing that the Prime Minister Julia Gillard is visiting fire-affected communities in Victoria, while the leader of the opposition, Tony Abbott, is travelling to flood-affected areas, our correspondent adds. |
Are you in Queensland? Have you been evacuated? You can tell us your story using the form below. | Are you in Queensland? Have you been evacuated? You can tell us your story using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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