Australia floodwaters cover area bigger than Texas

200,000 stranded; other half of country sees high temps, wildfires - MSNBC

BRISBANE, Australia — Military aircraft dropped supplies to towns cut off by floods in northeastern Australia as the prime minister promised new assistance Friday to the 200,000 people affected by waters. Southern Australia, meanwhile, soaring temperatures and tinder dry conditions have sparked wildfires.

Residents were stocking up on food or evacuating their homes as rising rivers inundated or isolated 22 towns in the state of Queensland.

Authorities warned of rising health risks from floodwaters, along with the danger of crocodiles and snakes in flooded homes.

"This disaster is a long way from over," Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard toured an evacuation center in the flood-stricken town of Bundaberg and announced that families whose homes had been flooded or damaged would be eligible for disaster relief payments of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child.