Brisbane floods: Clean-up operations could take months, says Queensland premier

Brisbane, Jan.13 (ANI): Queensland premier Anna Bligh has warned flood-besieged Brisbane residents to brace themselves for a long and arduous recovery that could take months, or even years, to complete.

The Queensland capital has begun counting the cost of the flood, which delivered a lower-than-expected but still devastating peak of 4.46 metres early this morning.

The flood cost at least one life in the state capital, a 24-year-old man who was swept into a storm drain while inspecting his father's flooded property in Durack, just south of the city.

According to The Age, over 26,000 homes and 5000 businesses in 67 suburbs have been affected, more than 150 roads remain closed and the city remains in effective lockdown, with power and public transport still shaky.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman warned it could be a long time before Brisbane returns to normal, and has launched an all-in recovery campaign, calling on volunteers to help aid the clean up. (ANI)