Flash floods kill 4 in water-weary NE Australia

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - Flash floods swept through an Australian city Monday, killing at least four people, trapping others in cars and leaving some clinging to trees as relentless rains brought more misery to a region battling its worst flooding in decades.

The raging torrent of muddy water picked up cars and tossed them like toys, carried away furniture as it washed through stores and prompted scores of emergency calls as it swamped Toowoomba, a city of about 90,000 in Queensland state in the northeast.

At least four people were killed, including one female pedestrian, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Commissioner Tom Dawson said.

Officials urged residents of low-lying communities downstream from Toowoomba to immediately move to higher ground as more flash floods were possible.

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