Floods unleash plague of crocodiles

FLOODS that have cut air, rail and road links to an Australian coastal city are now threatening its sewage plant, and waters are still expected to rise another few feet before peaking today.

Australian residents fled their homes and sandbagged properties yesterday as Rockhampton was threatened by a worsening flood disaster which unleashed a plague of snakes and crocodiles.

Tens of thousands of people in Rockhampton braced for complete isolation as waters which have inundated an area bigger than France and Germany, and closed the town’s airport and railway, lapped at the last remaining road link.

Residents of Rockhampton made their way in boats through waters that reached waist-high in some areas yesterday but were warned not to wade into the them since snakes and crocodiles could be lurking.

Rumours of crocodile sightings swept the besieged cattle-farming centre northeast of Brisbane, population 75,000, while snakes up to 6.5 feet long were spotted about the town centre.

The snakes, including highly venomous taipans, brown snakes and red-bellied blacks, are climbing trees and hiding in people’s houses as they search for dry refuge, residents said.

“The snakes are a massive problem — I’ve shut all the doors because they’re coming in,” said Suzanne Miller, owner of the Pioneer Hotel pub, adding that her mother was “almost killed” by a brown snake.

“She is living on a boat near here and it was curled round the rope,” Miller said. “She could feel the tongue flicking on to her face to test how far away it was, ready to bite, and then it jumped into her lap.”

Miller said her mother’s husband used a stick to flick the snake into the water, adding that the boat almost capsized as the pair leaped around in panic.

A huge inland sea spawned by more than a week of heavy rain across Queensland state is making its way along the Fitzroy River toward the ocean — and Rockhampton lies in the way. As waters drain, the city of 75,000 people is expected to see flood levels rise another few feet.

The river has already burst its banks, inundating houses and businesses in waters ranging from a few inches to waist-deep. Up to 500 people who live along the river have evacuated their homes. Air and rail links to the city were cut and only one main road remained open.

Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter said yesterday that large swaths of the city might be under water for another two weeks.

Carter said yesterday floodwaters were threatening Rockhampton’s sewage treatment plants and officials may seek to discharge some effluent directly into the swollen river system. He said this would only occur away from the city, and that the discharged sewage would be highly diluted and would not pose a health risk.

Rockhampton is the latest of 22 cities and towns in Queensland to be swamped by floods that began building just before Christmas — the worst effects of an unusually wet summer in the tropical region. No one has died in Rockhampton, but swollen rivers and flooding have killed 10 people in Queensland since late November, police say.

Officials have said the flooded area covers the size of France and Germany combined and 200,000 people have been affected.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a condolence message and said Washington was ready to help if needed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these floods, especially the families of the victims, and with all the people of Australia,” Clinton said in a statement.

Wendy White, who owns a clothing alterations shop in Rockhampton, said she was worried about her merchandise and equipment as the waters rise.

“We’ve taken everything about two feet up off the floor... my machines are above that and then everything, all my stock is stacked on that,” she told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Authorities have warned residents to stay out of floodwaters for their own safety, saying the biggest risk is from fast-moving currents powerful enough to sweep cars from roadways. At least two people have drowned after being swept away in their cars.

Mayor Carter has also said residents have reported seeing higher than usual numbers of snakes, as the animals move around looking for dry ground. He has also noted that saltwater crocodiles have been spotted from time to time in the Fitzroy River.

A military cargo plane landed in a city north of Rockhampton on Monday carrying food, water, medical supplies and other items such as diapers to keep the city stocked with necessities. The goods were trucked south to the city or carried on barges.