Australian residents across eastern Queensland are beginning to access thedevastation caused by weeks of flooding with swollen rivers finally receding.The Brisbane River in Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane finallydropped below minor flood stage Friday evening, local time.
The level of the river in Brisbane was 4.27 feet at 11:42 p.m. Friday (8:42a.m. EST Friday). That level is down from the 14.63 feet recorded earlyThursday morning, local time. Major flood stage in Brisbane is 11.48 feet.
Moderate flooding is still occurring along the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.
Still, the river recently inched below the major stage of 27.89 feet. The riverwill continue to slowly fall through this weekend.
Aside from a light, brief shower along the coast, dry weather will dominatesoutheastern Queensland this weekend and give rivers an opportunity to furtherrecede.
Heavier showers in western Queensland will continue to keep rivers high intothis weekend. These showers should reach northeastern Queensland by early nextweek.
As the rivers recede, residents are beginning to access the damage caused bythe flooding that has plagued the state for weeks.
The Associated Press reports that the flooded Brisbane River engulfed more than30,000 homes and businesses in Brisbane.
