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Australian state of Queensland hit by deadly flooding Australia floods leave hundreds stranded in Bundaberg
(about 2 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. Helicopter rescue crews are trying to reach hundreds of people trapped by rising floodwaters in Bundaberg in the Australian state of Queensland.
Bundaberg is expecting its worst floods ever - a mass evacuation is under way in part of the city, but hundreds of people are feared stranded. Many people are trapped on roofs, but there are fears homes could be washed away by fast-moving waters after the Burnett River burst its banks.
In Brisbane, the state capital, almost 5,000 homes and properties are at risk. Three people have already died in the Queensland flooding, after a cyclone brought heavy rain.
The rain was brought by Tropical Cyclone Oswald, which is now affecting the northern part of New South Wales. Australian PM Julia Gillard offered her condolences to the families of victims.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has offered her condolences to the families of the flood victims.
Ms Gillard was speaking in Gipsland, Victoria, where she was visiting people afflicted by the recent wildfires.Ms Gillard was speaking in Gipsland, Victoria, where she was visiting people afflicted by the recent wildfires.
She said it had been a "tough period" for Queensland, and that the whole country was being "challenged by nature".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."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''Hundreds stranded'
Bundaberg Mayor Mal Foreman said the floods would be "far worse" than those of 2011, which left 35 people dead across Queensland, with Bundaberg among the towns affected. Bundaberg Mayor Mal Foreman said the floods would be "far worse" than those of late 2010 and early 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 in Bundaberg was at 9.13m and rising slowly, the Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement In 2010, the Burnett River at Bundaberg reached 7.92 metres, but at 15:00 (05:00 GMT) on Monday, the river was at 9.2m and rising slowly, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) 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." It is expected to peak late on Tuesday or early Wednesday. Major flooding has also been reported at Mundubbera and Gayndah, said the BoM.
The authorities have told residents of North Bundaberg to evacuate immediately, with the state's Police Commissioner Ian Stewart tweeting: "Do not wait. Move now. Yr life depends on it." Residents of North Bundaberg were ordered to evacuate immediately, with the state's Police Commissioner Ian Stewart tweeting: "Do not wait. Move now. Yr life depends on it."
Police Superintendent Rowan Bond said there was "an imminent danger of people being killed and drowned". Police Superintendent Rowan Bond said many people had only a few hours left in which to leave, before becoming stranded, saying there was an "imminent danger of people being killed and drowned".
"People must heed this warning and get out now," The Australian newspaper quoted him as saying. But the waters are moving too quickly for boats to be used, and there are fears that homes could be swept off their foundations by the torrent.
At least 1,200 properties have flooded and State Premier Campbell Newman said up to 1,500 people could still be stranded in the city. At least 1,200 properties have flooded and State Premier Campbell Newman said up to 1,500 people could still be in need of rescue.
"We've never seen floodwaters like this before," he told reporters.
"People probably feel, quite reasonably, that they've seen this all before and they feel they can be safe in certain parts of North Bundaberg. Right now our view is they are not, and that's why we need to get them out.
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.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 and there are fears that homes could be swept off their foundations.
"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."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 away By late afternoon, the main Bundaberg evacuation centre at Oakwood State School was itself evacuated, the Brisbane Times reports. Some 300 people were being moved to another centre near the airport.
More than 200,00 people are without power in Queensland. Elsewhere in the state, some 350 homes have been flooded in Ipswich. More than 200,00 people are without power across the state.
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.
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.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. In Brisbane, which was paralysed by flooding two years ago, water has been creeping into low-lying parts of the central business district.
In New South Wales, a number of roads have been closed and 6,000 homes are without power in the north of the state. A woman and her three-year-old son were also taken to hospital in Brisbane after a tree fell on them.
The rain was brought by Tropical Cyclone Oswald, which is now affecting the northern part of New South Wales.
The BoM has warned of heavy rain, usually high tides and damaging winds, with gusts of up to 100 km/h (62 mph). Flash flood warnings have also been given.
A number of roads have been closed in the state and 6,000 homes are without power in the north.
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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