Inland tsunami in Australia

A sign is seen in the flooded grounds of The University of Queensland in the Brisbane suburb of Saint Lucia. Flood water in Australia's third-biggest city peaked below feared catastrophic levels on Thursday but Brisbane and other devastated regions faced years of rebuilding and even the threat of fresh floods in the weeks ahead. (REUTERS)
Iconic Suncorp Stadium (R) filled with the murky waters of the Brisbane River as flood waters devastate much of Brisbane. Australia's third-largest city Brisbane was turned into a "war zone" with whole suburbs under water and infrastructure smashed as the worst flood in decades hit 30,000 properties. (AFP)
This aerial image shows luxury apartment blocks rising out of the murky waters of the Brisbane River as flood waters devastate much of Brisbane. Australia's third-largest city Brisbane was turned into a "war zone" with whole suburbs under water and infrastructure smashed as the worst flood in decades hit 30,000 properties. (AFP)
Residential suburbs and industrial areas are inundated as flood waters devastate much of Brisbane. Australia's third-largest city awoke to a "war zone" with whole suburbs under water and infrastructure smashed as the worst flood in decades caused wide destruction. The death toll from the latest deluge stands at 15. (AFP)
Residents return to their flood affected house in the Brisbane suburb of Saint Lucia. Flood water in Australia's third-biggest city peaked below feared catastrophic levels on Thursday but Brisbane and other devastated regions faced years of rebuilding and even the threat of fresh floods in the weeks ahead. (REUTERS)
Residents paddle past a flooded house in the Brisbane suburb of Saint Lucia. Flood water in Australia's third-biggest city peaked below feared catastrophic levels on Thursday but Brisbane and other devastated regions faced years of rebuilding and even the threat of fresh floods in the weeks ahead. (REUTERS)
Two young men paddle their surf boards through the floodwaters of West End despite the risks after floodwaters peaked early morning in Brisbane. Australia's third-largest city Brisbane was turned into a "war zone" on January 13 with whole suburbs under water and infrastructure smashed as the worst flood in decades hit 30,000 properties. (AFP)
Two people sit on a bench surrounded by water to look at the swollen Brisbane river after floodwaters peaked early morning in Brisbane. Australia's third-largest city Brisbane was turned into a "war zone" on January 13 with whole suburbs under water and infrastructure smashed as the worst flood in decades hit 30,000 properties. (AFP)
Friends pitch in to save local resident Paul O'Leary's home in the Bulimba suburb of Brisbane after flooding. Australia's third-largest city Brisbane was turned into a "war zone" on January 13 with whole suburbs under water and infrastructure smashed as the worst flood in decades hit 30,000 properties. (AFP)
Montague Rd in West End is covered in flood water in Brisbane, Australia. The Brisbane river peaked at 4.46 metres today - a metre less than the historic floods of 1974 that devastated the region. Brisbane city and several suburbs were inundated with waters flooding over 25,000 Brisbane homes partially or completely and leaving over 100,000 residences without power. The recent floods in Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley have claimed lives of 12 people with many more reported missing in region. (GETTY IMAGES)
Australia braced for a rapidly rising death toll on January 11 after flash floods killed eight and left 72 missing, as a quickly spreading flood disaster forced evacuations in central Brisbane. (AFP)
Australia braced for a rapidly rising death toll. (AFP)
Australia braced for a rapidly rising death toll on January 11 after flash floods killed eight and left 72 missing, as a quickly spreading flood disaster forced evacuations in central Brisbane. (AFP)
Australia braced for a rapidly rising death toll on January 11 after flash floods killed eight and left 72 missing, as a quickly spreading flood disaster forced evacuations in central Brisbane. (AFP)
A man secures his boat on the Maroochy River as high tides and flood water cause it to rise on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. 9 people so far have been confirmed dead in towns in the Lockyer Valley and over 70 are still reported missing after devastating floods inundated the region. (GETTY)
A plane is seen in floodwaters in Grantham, a township between Toowoomba and Brisbane, in this still image taken from video. (REUTERS)
Overturned and piled up cars are seen in central Toowoomba between 15:00 and 17:00 hours AEST following a flash flood which ripped through the town centre. (GETTY)
Residents fill sandbags outside a residential apartment building in the Brisbane suburb of West End. (REUTERS)
A flash flood sweeps cars against a bridge on a street in Toowoomba, about 105km (65 miles) west of Brisbane. (REUTERS)
Water Street being submerged by flash floods described as an "inland tsunami" smashing through mountainside Toowoomba, sweeping away entire houses. (AFP)
Business owners clear out their shops in preperation for high flood waters. (GETTY)
A man looks at the rising Brisbane River in central Brisbane. Thousands of people were urged to leave the outskirts of Australia's third-largest city, Brisbane. (REUTERS)
A sign warns people of flood waters over a suburban stree. (GETTY)