Residents of Australia’s state of Queensland are facing an extraordinary deluge following record-setting rain.  In recent weeks an unusually heavy rainy season coupled with Tropical Storm Tasha has affected an area of land bigger than France and Germany combined.

Queensland’s state treasurer Andrew Fraser  told media last week, “It is a disaster of biblical proportions.” 

NASA satellite measurements of the rainfall indicated from 10 to 16 inches of rain fell within a week.  Many rivers have overrun their banks including the Fitzroy River which is sending water into the city of Rockhampton. 

Disaster declarations have been made for an area encompassing 366,000 square miles and 41 of Queensland’s 73 municipalities.  An estimated 200,000 residents are affected by the floods and tens of thousands have been evacuated. 

Government officials said 22 towns were either entirely flooded or isolated by flood waters.  At least 10 deaths have been attributed to the flooding and rivers have yet to crest. 

For more, please visit the Natural Disasters Examiner:

• ‘Biblical’ floods hit Queensland, Australia with rising death toll and more rain
  • Slideshow: Floods of ‘biblical proportions’ cover Queensland, Australia in water
• NASA satellites capture imagery of deadly Australian flooding and rain
  • Slideshow: Flooding and rains in Australia imaged by NASA satellites