Australia swamped by floods

Drenching rains have pounded communities across northeastern Australia, flooding major highways and prompting hundreds of evacuations.

Days of torrential downpours have left many communities inundated, with up to 11 inches falling in a 24-hour period in some areas.

Flooding has shut down about 300 roads across Queensland, including two major highways to the state capital Brisbane.

At Chinchilla, Charleys Creek reached levels not seen for almost 70 years with about 40 homes and businesses inundated and residents also holed up at an evacuation centre.

The rain has also caused at least $400 million worth of damage to crops across the state, including sunflower and cotton, that were just recovering from months of drought.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to the volunteers who are helping in the flood-affected areas.