Australia: Crocs, snakes, and sewage add to floods travel chaos

Floods that have cut air, rail and road links to the Australian coastal city of Rockhampton are now threatening its sewage plant, and waters are still expected to rise another few feet before peaking today.

Residents of Rockhampton made their way in boats through waters that reached waist-high in some areas yesterday but were warned not to wade since snakes and crocodiles could be lurking.

A huge inland sea spawned by more than a week of heavy rain across Queensland state is making its way along the Fitzroy River toward the ocean - and Rockhampton, a city of 75,000 people, lies in the way.

The river has already burst its banks, inundating houses and businesses in waters ranging from a few inches to waist-deep. Up to 500 people who live along the river have fled their homes. Air and rail links have been cut and only one main road was open yesterday.

Rockhampton mayor Brad Carter said swathes of the city might be under water for another two weeks.

Adding to the woes, Mr Carter said the floodwaters were threatening Rockhampton's sewage treatment plants and officials may seek to discharge some effluent into the swollen river. He said this would occur well away from the city, and that the sewage released would be highly diluted and would not pose a health risk.

Rockhampton is the latest of 22 cities and towns in Queensland to be swamped by floods that began building just before Christmas - the worst effects of an unusually wet summer in the tropical region. No-one has died in Rockhampton, but swollen rivers and flooding have killed ten people in Queensland since late November, police say.

Officials have said the floods cover an area the size of France and Germany combined and 200,000 people have been affected so far.

Wendy White, who owns a clothing alterations shop in Rockhampton, said she was worried about her merchandise and equipment as the waters rise. "We've taken everything about two feet up off the floor… my machines are above that and then everything, all my stock is stacked on that," she told reporters. "So it'd be a case of, if the water does come in, we'll have to mop up before we can set up to start trading again."

Authorities have warned residents to stay out of floodwaters for their own safety, saying the biggest risk is from fast-moving currents powerful enough to sweep away cars.

At least two people have drowned after being caught in their cars by floodwater.

Mr Carter has also said residents have reported seeing higher than usual numbers of snakes - some of them poisonous - as the reptiles move looking for dry ground.He has also noted that saltwater crocodiles have been spotted in the Fitzroy river.

"We do not think they are a risk to public safety if people keep out of the waters, but if people do enter the waters their safety cannot be guaranteed," Carter said.

The global economy is also feeling the effects of the flooding. The price of thermal coal, of which Queensland is a major supplier, has risen over 35 percent since October due to weather-related disruptions.

The price rise is being felt across the steel mills and power stations of the major Asian industrial economies.