Rising waters inundate Australia

Water levels continue to rise in the already flooded town of St. George in Queensland, Australia.

More than 2,000 people were evacuated from the town last weekend, as the region braced for the surge in floodwaters.

One local official is urging the government to provide the area with permanent protection from flooding.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MAYOR OF BALONNE SHIRE, DONNA STEWART, SAYING:

"There is a huge percentrage of these homes that would not be flooded if we had a permanent levee here, and we have lobbied for it, we've applied for funding and been rejected.

So, I'm absolutely devastated that all these people, particularly these ones behind me, have suffered this inundation."

Local media reports said that even when the waters do recede it could be some time before residents can return to their homes.

And the town's authorities said they're worried about flood damage to the water and sewage systems.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has forecast that the deluge could continue for weeks in some areas.

Travis Brecher, Reuters