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Floods Swamp Eastern Australia

Thousands stranded after storms batter coast

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 8, 2008 9:29 AM CST
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(Newser) – Thousands on the east coast of Australia have been isolated by flooding from heavy rains, the BBC reports. Thunderstorms and overflowing rivers have battered the northeast parts of New South Wales, the country’s most populous state, and the southern parts of Queensland; both have been declared natural disaster zones. The government has begun relief operations, dropping food by helicopter.

Residents of entire towns in the affected areas have been cut off, and hundreds more have left their homes to avoid the rising water, the BBC reports. "There are some 3,000 people who remain isolated,” said an emergency services spokesman, adding that those in more remote areas may be cut off for as long as a week.

A surfer off the east coast of Australia takes advantage waves stirred up on Friday, January 4, 2008. Storms have battered the country's east coast, leaving thousands stranded by flood waters.
A surfer off the east coast of Australia takes advantage waves stirred up on Friday, January 4, 2008. Storms have battered the country's east coast, leaving thousands stranded by flood waters.   (Getty Images)
Floods battering eastern Australia have inundated parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
Floods battering eastern Australia have inundated parts of Queensland and New South Wales.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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Australian Coverage of the Floods

Damage from floods tops $100 million mark
The Australian

Thousands of people could remain cut off for up to a week
Sydney Morning Herald

Recovery efforts launched, but some face a long wait
The Australian

 
Australia • flood • Queensland • natural disaster • New South Wales • disaster zones

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