Parts of north-eastern Australia have been declared a disaster zone after flooding from days of torrential rain. The worst floods in half a century in Australia have inundated towns across the state of Queensland, forcing the evacuation of entire communities as dams larger than Sydney Harbour threaten to breach their banks. Economists estimate the floods will strip up to $6 billion from the national economy, as ruined crops and water-logged mines are expected to depress export volumes over the next three months. Read More