I can unhappily report the flooded areas equate to a size of France and Germany PUT TOGETHER. That is bigger than Texas! The effected area is much of central and southern Queensland including Brisbane, Rockhampton, Emerald, Bundaberg, Dalby, and Toowoomba. There are fears tonight for the capital Brisbane with even more rising waters. Brisbane Mayor Campbell Newsome stated than an estimated 20,000 homes would be affected when the river peaks on 14 January. Thousands of residents have been evacuated from all areas with more predicted. At least 31 towns and over 200,000 people have been affected so far. The coastal city of Rockhampton has been particularly hit with over 500 residents evacuated. The following photo taken by Janie Barrett on 4th January shows an island is formed by flood water stranding vehicles and other equipment in Rockhampton.
Thirty people are confirmed dead with 9 more believed to have perished and 43 missing. From my research these numbers seem to be inaccurate with certain articles from different towns stating more deaths. People have been swept away and drowned or perished attempting to leave in their vehicles. The estimated damage at this point is believed a conservative 13 billion.
In the Gympie region the flood height reached 19.45 metres today. Three-quarters of the state of Queensland has been declared a disaster zone!
The floods were a result of heavy precipitation caused by Tropical Cyclone Tasha that combined with a trough during the peak of a La Niña event. The 2010 La Niña weather pattern, which brings wetter conditions to eastern Australia, was the strongest since 1973. Isolated flooding started across parts of the state in early December. On 24 December a monsoonal trough crossed the coast from the Coral Sea, bringing torrential rain that fell in a broad swath from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Gold Coast. The conditions also led to a large influx of snakes, as well as some crocodiles.
About 300 roads were closed, including nine major highways. Coal railway lines were closed and numerous mine sites flooded. The floods have not only boosted fruit and vegetable prices but reports from residents living in these areas tell me that many supermarket shelves are just EMPTY of fresh produce.
A portable toilet block from a Maryborough service station ended up in Hervey Bay today after flood waters carried it down the swollen Mary River.
The following link shows a residents video from an apartment block next to the river in the Toowoomba area and how quickly the river rose taking parked cars with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJg2asABprc
This very severe frightening disaster has not peaked yet........
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