The floods have already struck a vast swath of territory the size of France and Germany combined. More than 20 towns have been cut off or have been swamped by rivers that have burst their banks.
Touring the affected area, Queensland's state treasurer, Andrew Fraser, said the floods would cripple the area's economy. "The cost to the state will be huge, in direct costs such as rebuilding roads and other damaged infrastructure, and providing relief payments to families, but also in lost income, while the mining, agriculture and tourism sectors recover," he said, adding: "It is a disaster of biblical proportions."
Officials have warned householders to beware of venomous snakes and killer crocodiles that are threatening to invade flooded homes and businesses. About 200,000 people have been affected so far as at least six river systems experienced a flood surge following Australia's wettest spring on record. More than 1,000 people are staying in evacuation centres with that number expected to rise to 4,000 by the middle of the week. Ironically, the huge rains have come after prolonged years of drought in the normally dry continent-sized country.
