Four dead in Australia floods

Some areas of New South Wales in Australia have been hit by more than 20 inches of rain.

Four people have died, in the floods across parts of North Eastern Australia, including a three-year-old boy who was hit by a falling tree in Brisbane.

Earlier this month, parts of the country was devastated by wildfires, caused by extreme temperatures.

Read: Cyclone causes widespread flooding in Eastern Australia

Read: Huge wildfires tear through Australian national park

Four people have died after torrential rain has flooded towns and cities in North Eastern Australia.

Around 1,000 helicopter evacuations have taken place, with officials rushing to move people in higher risk areas to safety.

In one of the hardest-hit cities, Bundaberg, a river broke its banks, sending fast flowing muddy water through streets and homes.

Around 1,500 residents have fled to evacuation centres.

Thousands of people have evacuated their homes after heavy rain caused severe flooding to parts of the east coast of Australia.

Three people have died as a result of the floods, Queensland police have confirmed.

This footage was filmed in the town of Bundaberg, one of the worst affected areas.

A massive air rescue operation in the city of Bundaberg, Queensland has been completed, Australia's Broadcasting Corporation reports.

Rising floodwaters had left many people stranded after a cyclone brought heavy rain.

See also:

Three killed in Australia floods

Toddler rescued from fast-rising flood waters

Bad weather conditions affecting the Australian state of Queensland has led to a small beach town being covered in foam.

The foam was whipped up from the ocean and brought on to Mooloolaba's shore, local media said.

Many residents and tourists took the opportunity to play in the foam or take photographs of the natural phenomenon.

See also: North sea foam lands on Aberdeen beach

Overnight in Australia people have died and homes are submerged, as heavy rain and flooding hit eastern parts of the country.

Speaking to ITV Daybreak, Danielle Isdale from Channel Ten news said this is not uncommon for the Australian summertime.

A resident from Bundaberg, Queensland has said her family "has been left with nothing" after her home was destroyed by fast-rising flood waters:

The Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has sent her condolences to the friends and family of the three people who have been killed in flooding in eastern Australia:

A toddler and two women had to be airlifted to safety after their car became trapped in fast-rising flood waters in Queensland, Australia.

Footage has emerged of the dramatic rescue by helicopter pilots, in which the toddler is winched to safety in a waterproof bag: