Australian floods look set to get worse

The worst flooding for decades in northeastern Australia has turned towns into lakes – and there are warnings that the worst is yet to come.
 
Hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes. One entire town was evacuated after virtually every building became inundated.
 
The rain has eased but more is forecast over the coming days. Water is continuing to flow off the plains into swollen rivers, which are expected to rise still further.
 
Half of the state of Queensland has been declared a disaster zone; the worst hit areas inland from the state capital Brisbane.
 
Helicopters have been used to lift people to safety. Police have reportedly been arresting some who need rescuing after driving into badly hit areas.
 
Even before the latest floods, many areas had been experiencing a period of unseasonably high rainfall. Nationally, Australia has had its wettest spring on record.

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