Australian floods claim third victim

In this aerial photo provided by the Queensland Police, a property is covered in floodwaters near Emerald, Australia. Floodwaters that cover an area the size of France and Germany combined are draining slowly toward Australia's northeast coast, filling bulging rivers to overflowing and inundating at least 22 towns and cities in the cattle and fruit and vegetable farming region. Photo: AP
In this aerial photo provided by the Queensland Police, a property is covered in floodwaters near Emerald, Australia. Floodwaters that cover an area the size of France and Germany combined are draining slowly toward Australia's northeast coast, filling bulging rivers to overflowing and inundating at least 22 towns and cities in the cattle and fruit and vegetable farming region. Photo: AP
A worker from emergency services walks through the Capricorn Highway, which is submerged in floodwaters, 6 km south of Rockhampton. Military aircraft flew supplies to an Australian town slowly disappearing beneath floodwaters, as record flooding in the country's northeast continues to cut coal exports and devastate wheat production. Photo: Reuters
A flood gauge on the Fitzroy River shows the rising water compared to past flood high water marks in Rockhampton, Australia. Floodwaters that cover an area the size of France and Germany combined are draining slowly toward Australia's northeast coast, filling bulging rivers to overflowing and inundating at least 22 towns and cities in the cattle and fruit and vegetable farming region. Photo: AP
An emergency personnel boat drives past a street sign partially covered by floodwaters 6km south of Rockhampton. Military aircraft flew supplies to an Australian town slowly disappearing beneath floodwaters, as record flooding in the country's northeast continues to cut coal exports and devastate wheat production. Photo: Reuters
A snake crosses the Capricorn Highway which is under floodwaters, 6km south of Rockhampton. Military aircraft flew supplies to an Australian town slowly disappearing beneath floodwaters on Monday, as record flooding in the country's northeast continues to cut coal exports and devastate wheat production. Photo: Reuters
A fish is seen on the Capricorn Highway which is partially submerged under floodwaters, 6km south of Rockhampton. Military aircraft flew supplies to an Australian town slowly disappearing beneath floodwaters, as record flooding in the country's northeast continues to cut coal exports and devastate wheat production. Photo: Reuters
A house is seen partially submerged by floodwaters 6km south of Rockhampton. Military aircraft flew supplies to an Australian town slowly disappearing beneath floodwaters, as record flooding in the country's northeast continues to cut coal exports and devastate wheat production. Photo: Reuters
Two police officers walk along a flooded creek at Innisfail, Australia. Floodwaters that cover an area the size of France and Germany combined are draining slowly toward Australia's northeast coast, filling bulging rivers to overflowing and inundating at least 22 towns and cities in the cattle and fruit and vegetable farming region. Photo: AP
In this photo provided by the Rockhampton Regional Council, water floods over the runway of the Rockhampton airport, Australia. Floodwaters that cover an area the size of France and Germany combined are draining slowly toward Australia's northeast coast, filling bulging rivers to overflowing and inundating at least 22 towns and cities in the cattle and fruit and vegetable farming region. Photo: AP

Published Jan 3, 2011

Military flights rushed Monday to restock an Australian city before it was cut off by floodwaters that have turned a huge swath of the Outback into a lake, while police confirmed two more deaths in the crisis. Drenching rain that started before Christmas has flooded an area the size of France and Germany combined in northeastern Queensland state. Rivers are overflowing and at least 22 towns and cities in the farming region are inundated.

In the coastal city of Rockhampton, waters from the still-swelling Fitzroy River closed the airport and cut the main highway to the state capital of Brisbane. Scores of families abandoned their homes for relief centers on high ground.