Death toll rises in Australia floods

2012-03-05 29

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

The death toll from floods in eastern Australia reached two on Monday police said, after days of heavy rain inundated Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, forcing the closure of bridges and roads.

More than 1000 people were forced out of their homes after evacuation orders were served on 450 homes in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales on Sunday night when the Murrumbidgee river burst its banks.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting major flooding in the Wagga Wagga area as the Muurumbigdgee River rises to around 41.3 feet on Tuesday.

Local media said more heavy rain is expected to fall in Queensland for the rest of week, and added the torrential rain is caused by a weather system moving across southern and central parts of the state.