Australian Flooding in Queensland and Victoria

Australian residents across eastern Queensland are beginning to assess thedevastation caused by weeks of flooding with swollen rivers finally receding.Further, south flooding has spread into northern Victoria.

The Brisbane River in Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane finallydropped below minor flood stage Friday evening, local time.

The level of the river in Brisbane was 4.27 feet at 11:42 p.m. Friday (8:42a.m. EST Friday). That level is down from the 14.63 feet recorded earlyThursday morning, local time. Major flood stage in Brisbane is 11.48 feet.

Moderate flooding is still occurring along the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.

Still, the river recently inched below the major stage of 27.89 feet. The riverwill continue to slowly fall through this weekend.

Aside from a light, brief shower along the coast, dry weather will dominatesoutheastern Queensland into Monday and give rivers an opportunity to furtherrecede.

Heavier showers in western Queensland will continue to keep rivers high throughMonday. These showers should reach southeast Queensland on Tuesday andWednesdayThe Associated Press reports that the flooded Brisbane River engulfed more than30,000 homes and businesses in Brisbane.

More than 3,000 people have evacuated their homes across Victoria as floodwaters continue rise in some locations where the worst flooding in decades isoccurring.

The town of Echuca has been hit particularly hard with the recent flooding.

Many homes and businesses in the low-lying areas of town have been flooded.

Other towns hit hard by the recent flooding include Charlton and Rochester.

Aside from an isolated shower, dry weather is expected to prevail acrossVictoria through the middle of next week, which will allow flood waters torecede in these areas and aid clean up efforts.