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Australian state of Queensland hit by flooding Australian state of Queensland hit by flooding
(35 minutes 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.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. The town of Bundaberg is expecting its worst floods ever - a mandatory evacuation order is in place for some areas but many people are stranded.
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.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. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has offered her condolences to the families of the flood victims.
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. Ms Gillard was speaking in Gipsland, Victoria, where she was visiting people afflicted by the recent wildfires.
At 10:00 (00:00 GMT) on Monday, the river level at Bundaberg was at 9.13m and rising slowly, the Bureau of Meteorology href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20770.html" >said in a statement. She said it had been a "tough period" for Queensland, and that the whole country was being "challenged by nature".
"But we are a strong and smart nation and we'll get through this, as we always do, by pulling together," she said.
'Hundreds stranded'
Bundaberg Mayor Mal Foreman said the floods would be "far worse" those of 2011, which left 35 people dead across Queensland, with Bundaberg among the towns affected.
At 10:00 (00:00 GMT) on Monday, the level of the Burnett River Bundaberg was at 9.13m and rising slowly, the Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement
"A peak above 9.15m is expected during late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The December 2010 flood level at Bundaberg was 7.92m. The 1942 flood reached 8.59m.""A peak above 9.15m is expected during late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The December 2010 flood level at Bundaberg was 7.92m. The 1942 flood reached 8.59m."
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. The authorities have told residents of North Bundaberg to evacuate immediately, warning "your life depends on it".
"We're going to try and rescue those people this morning," said Queensland Premier Campbell Newman. Police Superintendent Rowan Bond said there was "an imminent danger of people being killed and drowned".
"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." "People must heed this warning and get out now," The Australian newspaper quoted him as saying.
At least 1,200 properties have flooded and State Premier Campbell Newman said up to 1,500 people could still be stranded in the town.
Mr Newman said 14 helicopters were already at work plucking people from rooftops but that more were being brought in. He urged stranded people to group together and ensure less mobile people were not left behind.
The waters are moving too quickly for boats to be used.
"I can assure people who may be in harm's way at the moment that we are doing everything we can to come to get you to get you out of this situation," said Mr Newman.
Swept awaySwept away
More than 200,00 people are without power in Queensland.
In Brisbane, which was paralysed by flooding two years ago, water has been creeping into low-lying parts of the central business district.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.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. The town of Gympie has been cut off and dozens of businesses are underwater, ABC News reports, while hundreds of homes are threatened in Ipswich, where the Bremer River is expected to peak later in the day.
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.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.
A woman and her three-year-old son were also taken to hospital in Brisbane after a tree fell on them. Across flood-hit parts of the state, tens of thousands of homes are without power.A woman and her three-year-old son were also taken to hospital in Brisbane after a tree fell on them. Across flood-hit parts of the state, tens of thousands of homes are without power.
In New South Wales, a number of roads have been closed and 6,000 homes are without power in the north of the state.In New South Wales, a number of roads have been closed and 6,000 homes are without power in the north of the state.
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, says the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney.
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.
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