Editor's Note:

The worst flood in Australia for half a century – began before Christmas and has affected a region the size of France and Germany combined in the state of Queensland. Australian meteorologists say the current weather pattern in Queensland is caused by one of the strongest La Ni?a weather event since records began.

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News:

 • Australian floodwaters surge into towns

 • Australia's Brisbane tourism feels flood impact

 • Australia faces costly natural disaster

 • Farms destroyed as floods hit Victoria of Australia

 • Severe thunderstorms menace flood-hit Queensland

• Infectious risks haunt flooded Queensland

• Floods hit towns in Victoria of Australia

• Queensland flood crisis may be most costly in nation

• 10 arrested for looting during floods in Australia

• Australians donate US$4 mln to Queensland floods victims

• Clean-up for flood-hit Brisbane may take months

• 3,500 Australians flee Queensland to escape flood

• Australia's Brisbane prepares for deadly wave [Photos]

• Brisbane flood peak falls below worst level

• Minor flooding hits South Australia's northeast

• Flooding inundates Australia's Brisbane

• World offers support to Australian flood victims

• Australian PM: Queensland's floods are shocking

• Power out as Australian cities brace for floods

• 8 killed in Australia flash flood

• Australian Brisbane under threat of flooding [Photos]

• 1,700 trapped in Australia's New South Wales floods

• Flash flood turns Australian city streets into rivers

• Flooding inundates town in Queensland

• Floods, landslides cut major highway in Australia

• UN chief concerns at heavy toll in flooded Australia

• Australia's flood recovery may take years

• Australian opposition urges new dams to flood crisis

• Singapore ready to assistant floods-hit Australia

• Australia's Queensland floods to hit New South Wales

• Australian military flies in flood relief supplies

• Australian floods highlight need for disaster mitigation planning

• Australian sugarcane suffers huge loss by heavy rains