Flash Flooding in Queensland Kills Eight as Brisbane Braces

[marmar]

By Rebecca Keenan and Angus Whitley


Jan. 11 (Bloomberg) -- The death toll from flash floods in Australia’s Queensland state climbed to eight, as authorities warned that rising waters are heading toward Brisbane.

The victims include a mother and two children swept away in a car as torrents rushed through the town of Toowoomba yesterday, and the number of dead is likely to rise, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said on Sky News. The state’s emergency services said as many as 72 people may be missing.

“We’re right in the middle of a shocking and unfolding human tragedy,” Bligh said. “We are a long way from out of danger.”

Rescue efforts were hampered as fog grounded helicopters, leaving residents stranded on isolated rooftops overnight. The downpour is forecast to continue today. Thirty suburbs of Brisbane, the state’s capital on Australia’s east coast, have been warned by the city council to expect floods, the Courier-Mail reported today. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://noir.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=afDAHALEsPAo&pos=9