Australia

The death toll in Queensland's flood crisis has risen to 17.

State Premier Anna Bligh says the body of a mature-aged woman had been recovered at a home in Grantham in the Lockyer Valley.

Ms Bligh said the woman's body was recovered in a home which had been searched twice before.

The discovery was made during a final search of the building.

The forecast for Queensland is terrible. More rain is expected - not just in the next few days but the coming months.

The tropical and sub-tropical areas of Australia are now entering their wet season. La Nina is only making conditions worse.

The floods may put an end to many businesses - particularly farmers who are facing this after several years of droughts.

Northern parts of Tasmania have seen huge rainfall amounts in the last 48 hours, some places breaking long term records.

In 24 hours to 9am on Thursday, Scamander in the island's northeast, recorded 278mm making it the wettest day in at least 26 years. Further rain fell to 9am on Friday taking the two day total to 349mm, which is around 7 times the average for the month.

Check out the BEFORE and AFTER images taken from where the live Brisbane River flood webcam is located (see below).

The live streaming webcam of the Brisbane River was showing trees, buildings and other debris floating down river at the height of the flood.

The camera is no longer operational.

BELOW:   Before and After:  Click the image below for a larger version

Over the past few days much of Victoria and Tasmania have been struck with heavy rain, severe storms and strong winds, but the worst is yet to come according to weatherzone.com.au.

Flooding has left a valley to the west of Brisbane looking like a war zone with Australian troops steeling themselves for expected 'terrible outcomes' as they move into the devastated area.

In one small town at least 30 cars have been washed up against a bridge, prompting fears they could contain the bodies of many victims.

Weather conditions are much drier this morning across much of Queensland as sunrise nears says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The latest rain radar shows about 90% of the state is starting the morning off dry, with just Mackay and Cairns seeing significant shower activity.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says high air pressure has moved in to help calm conditions down.

In the past hour heavy showers and thunderstorms have returned to parts of inland Queensland reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Many parts of Brisbane continue to go underwater this afternoon even though sunnier conditions have moved in.  Despite the forecast for much drier weather in the city over the next 48 hours the flood waters are only going to get worse.

Incredible raw video from Australia showing the flash floods that hit the town of Toowoomba on Tuesday.

The flash flood takes several cars with it, turning a small stream into a deadly raging torrent in a matter of minutes.