One man was killed, scores of homes were destroyed and hundreds of people were forced to evacuate as almost 100 wildfires burned across Australia’s most populous state today.

One of the most powerful storms recorded in Australia pulled houses apart and snapped power poles as it ripped across already flood-sodden Queensland state, leaving authorities relieved that no one was killed.

Torrential rains and strong winds left one man dead and forced thousands to flee their homes on Australia’s eastern coast, officials said today.

A flooded Australian town was warned to be alert for marauding crocodiles swimming its streets today.