The flood water level threatens to inundate more areas and thousands of homes in northeast Australia, which suffered the worst flooding in decades in the region reached "biblical proportions" and caused multibillion-dollar losses. More than 200,000 people have been affected by the floods remain isolated at least ten days over large parts of the state of Queensland, an area equal to that of France and Germany combined."From several points of view, this is a disaster of biblical proportions", he told reporters in Bundaberg State Treasurer, Andrew Fraser. Days of torrential rains caused by Cyclone Tasha have flooded thousands of homes, hundreds of businesses, farmland and several mining operations, a disaster that will cost several billion dollars to local authorities and insurance companies.
"The costs to the state will be enormous, both directly in the reconstruction of roads and other infrastructure such as flood relief, but also losses in agriculture, mining or tourism," stated Fraser. The Queensland Government has been forced to postpone the semi-annual review of the state budget to account for the losses.
"The forecasts will be affected by the cuts in transportation of goods and information that tell us that many mines will not recover to full production within two or three months," added the Treasurer. The greatest risk is situated on the coast of Queensland where water accumulated rain is adding is that is coming from inside the state.
Emergency crews today focused its efforts in the town of Rockhampton where the Fitzroy River, one of the largest rivers in the country, continues to grow and is expected to reach its peak of 9.4 meters on Wednesday, more than three feet today, threatening to overwhelm between 2,000 and 4,000 homes in the coming days.
The mayor of the town, Brad Carter, said the airport closed today its business except for flights in emergencies and that residents remain isolated for a "long" with the expectation that the water court tomorrow two highways. "It is likely that the community is incommunicado for ten days to the south and through the airport," said Carter, who has warned it will take about three weeks to have the airport in good condition.
"We have prepared the best we could. Most people whose houses are expected to flood water has been evacuated," added the mayor. In Emerald, the center of the state, Nago River has submerged 80 percent of the municipality and a thousand homes forcing the evacuation of its 1,300 residents who had to get 2011 in the refugee center.
"We will take months to clean and repair all the damage," said Mayor Peter Maguire. In Bundaberg, where 300 homes and 120 businesses are under water, prepare to begin the cleanup as the Burnett River lowers its level up to 5.5 meters from a peak of 7.9 that hit on Thursday. Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of support to those affected by floods which, he notes, has followed "with great concern." Through his representative in Queensland, the Governor Penelope Wensley, the Queen sent "my sincere sympathies to all those whose communities have been affected by this disaster." The prime minister, Julia Gillard, who yesterday visited the region, announced the creation of a hotline for those affected to apply for financial aid, $ 1,000 per adult and 400 per child.
"There are many more things that we do and that will be needed but this disaster aid is available immediately for people," said Gillard. Australia has experienced the wettest spring since there are records and that caused the overflow of six river basins in Queensland. Relief efforts for its part, Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has toured some of the most affected communities and hopes to get to Emerald, where last night were evacuated around 1,200 of its inhabitants after the Nogo River reach the 16 meters.
He has already visited the city of Bundaberg, the heart of the country's sugar production, which has also closed its port after the water will damage the signaling system for navigation. In the State of New South Wales overflowing of rivers has caused significant damage to wheat crops. The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, can reach 9.4 meters in the next two days, which would cause the town is isolated by road, rail or air on Saturday, affecting some 4,000 properties.
Gillard announced this week that the government allocated one million dollars in aid to those affected by some "unprecedented flooding," while he has made a public appeal to raise more funds. Local farmers estimate that about half of the national harvest, about 10 million tonnes, is lost, thus providing for a price increase around 45%.
The forecast is not good. Australian weather service, which has indicated that these are the worst floods the country has experienced since records began, has warned that the rains will return with greater intensity on Sunday.
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