Thousands evacuated as flooding hits Eastern Australia

Floodwaters in eastern Australia are approaching their peak as ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moves out to sea after forcing thousands of people to flee their homes and causing millions of dollars of damage.

River levels in the Queensland state capital, Brisbane, where more than 3,000 properties were inundated, are retreating, according to authorities. In the New South Wales town of Grafton, waters peaked near 8.1 meters (26.6 feet) earlier today threatening to breach the local flood levee.