In an unprecedented weather event, Brisbane and Queensland’s south-east have been hit by devastating floods.
Nine people have been killed since the deluge began last Thursday, and rescue teams were searching on Monday for at least four people reported missing.
The wider area is set to endure more wild weather also affecting New South Wales.
More than 15,000 thousands homes have been destroyed or suffered severe damages.
Weather warnings remain in place across 900km of Australia’s eastern seaboard with many evacuation and rescue missions being delayed due to limited access. Rescue efforts are under way in hard-hit Lismore, north-eastern NSW where many were left stranded or trapped on rooftops surrounded by water.
Greek Australian Leonidas Naoumis from Brisbane told Neos Kosmos that “even though today the sun is out, the danger is still imminent”.
“The river bank has risen tremendously, threatening many homes.”
Even though most Greek Australians are living in the West End area which has not been as affected, several families have had to evacuate their homes, Mr Naoumis said, adding that the situation in Brisbane is similar to the 2011 floods.
Happenings such as the AHEPA annual event have been cancelled.
“For … Brisbane, we have seen river levels reach 3.85 [metres] this morning and that is now easing. That was reached on the high tide this morning,” said Diana Eadie from the Bureau of Meteorology.
“There is a lot of water around still so we could see a secondary peak this evening at around about 8pm. At this stage we are expecting river levels of 3.3 metres. There is another significant peak potentially to occur tomorrow morning on the high tide at 9am, make sure you are keeping updated with the latest warnings for the Brisbane River.
Prime minister Scott Morrison with Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk have both visited the Kedron emergency services complex in Brisbane to assess the magnitude of the damage.
