Brisbane's city-dwellers flee floodwaters

Deadly floodwaters that have cut a swathe across northeast Australia flowed onto the streets of the nation’s third-largest city today, forcing people to flee both suburbs and skyscrapers.

Almost 20,000 homes in Brisbane were expected to be swamped in the city of about two million by the time the Brisbane River reaches its expected peak tomorrow, Mayor Campbell Newman said.

The figures were constantly being revised as the threat became clearer – and it was getting consistently worse.

At least 22 people have died in Australia’s north-eastern state of Queensland since drenching rains that began in November sent swollen rivers spilling over their banks, inundating an area larger than France and Germany combined.

The crisis escalated when a violent storm sent a 26-foot, fast-moving torrent - described as an “inland instant tusnami” – crashing through the city of Toowoomba and smaller towns to the west of Brisbane on Monday.

Twelve people were killed in that flash flood, and 67 remain missing.

Emergency sirens wailed throughout Brisbane. Boats torn from their moorings floated down the rising river along with massive amounts of debris.

A popular waterside restaurant’s pontoon was swept away by the current and floated downstream.

Some streets and riverside parks were covered with water, though no major flooding was reported early today.

Two evacuation centres have been established in the city and Mr Newman said up to 6,500 were expected to use them in coming days.

Officials have urged anyone in a growing list of low-lying suburbs to prepare their homes, then get out to stay with friends and family and keep off the streets.

“This incident is not a tourist event – this is a deeply serious natural disaster,” Queensland state premier Anna Bligh said. “Stay in your homes. Do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary.”

The Brisbane River broke its banks yesterday and was continuing its rise today - partly controlled by a huge dam upstream that has had its floodgates opened because it is brimming after weeks of rain across the state.

Water levels were expected to stay at peak levels until at least Saturday, but many people will not be able to access their homes for several days beyond that, Ms Bligh said.