Queensland, Brisbane Struck by Worst Flooding in Over 30 Years

Floods cutting a swath the size of Texas through northeastern Australia began to recede on Thursday. At least 25 people were killed and 61 more missing as rising waters had swept away cars and cut off entire cities and towns from the rest of the country.
Trees and debris and more than 20 cars piled up under a railway bridge outside of Grantham, Queensland. Police divers did not find any bodies in any of the cars, though.

The city of Rockhampton was cut off from the rest of Queensland and Australia when the flood severed road and rail links. Residents were advised to stay away from the water not only because of the hazards presented by the floodwaters, but also because of the poisonous snakes and crocodiles that could be present in awhile.

In Brisbane, the floodwaters crested just shy of the 1974 flooding that his the Queensland capital. Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he the city was asking for skilled volunteers- carpenters, plumbers and electricians- to aid in the rebuilding of the city. Local landmarks and industries such as the XXXX brewery and Suncorp Rugby stadium were underwater while at least 3000 people in Australia's 3rd largest city were seeking shelter until the waters fully receeded.
Perhaps the most poignant account from the Queensland floods was that of 13 year old Jordan Rice of Toowoomba. Jordan, along with his mother Donna and 10 year old brother Blake were stranded in their car as the floodwaters rose. Jordan was able to alert a truck driver who began a rescue attempt by wading into the waters with a rope fastened around his waist. When trucker, Warren McErlean, reached Jordan, the 13 year old simply told his would-be rescuer to rescue Blake first. Moments later, Jordan and his mother were swept away to their deaths by the fast moving water.