Thousands Evacuated as Flood Waters Rise in Australia
People wade through flood waters in the town of Moree, Northern New South Wales, Australia Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. Helicopters and rescue crews are on standby to evacuate people as the Mehi River near Moree is expected to swell even higher as flooding in northwestern NSW continues. (AP Photo/Brad Hunter, Pool)
Three straight days of rain have caused waterways to overflow their banks in parts of northern New South Wales.
Update:
As of Sunday morning at least one person had died as a result of the massive flooding in Australia.
A woman attempting to drive her truck through flood waters handed her son off to rescue workers before she was swept away.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for the Queensland town of St. George. The town of about 4000 people is expected to flood Monday when when the Balonne River crests at 49.2 feet (15 meters).
Food and medical supplies are being flown in to Queensland communities that have been isolated due to the flooding.
The town of Moree is being assessed for damage Sunday. Clean-up has begun.
Nearly 10,000 Moree residents were allowed to return to their homes on Saturday night. Others are still waiting for word from authorities.
Emergency crews have evacuated at least 2000 people and more than 10,000 others have been isolated by the rising waters.
In the town of Moree, the rising flood waters have divided the town in half and left the town center submerged. The Mehi river peaked at more than 32 feet (10 meters). The river had not reached that height since 1976.
The people who chose not to evacuate have been busy filling sandbags to place as barriers to defend against the rising waters.
Supplies are being flown in to the residents isolated by flood waters.
The weather conditions have improved and will continue to improve over the next few days.
"The area is now dry and will stay dry through Monday," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert. "There is a possibility of some rain near the coast on Tuesday."
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