(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)
Residents of the Australian town of Gympie in Queensland state began to clean up on Wednesday (February 27) after flooding hit for a second time within a month.
Dozens of shops were flooded along the main road in Gympie. Shop owners returned on Wednesday to estimate the damage and start cleaning up.
"Much better than a metre (three feet) and last time it was two metres (six feet). So, it's better than that," one unidentified shop owner told local television Seven Network.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said further flood assistance for Queensland was on its way.
"It's been a really heartbreaking summer for the people of Gympie and flood waters have hit yet again. We will continue to work with the state government and the people of Gympie to help them through this difficult time," Gillard said when visiting Brisbane.
After days of torrential rain and flooding the weather threat in Queensland eased on Wednesday. The water levels were slowly receding, local media said.
