Flood waters that cover an area the size of France and Germany combined are draining slowly toward Australia's north-eastern coast, filling rivers to overflowing and inundating at least 22 towns and cities in the cattle and fruit and vegetable farming region.  Residents have never seen flodding like this.

A 41-year-old woman was swept to her death in front of her family Saturday in Burketown, in hardest-hit Queensland state.  Searches were under way for two other people, men in separate locations in Queensland, who were missing after being last seen in the flood waters.

In the coastal city of Rockhampton, inhabited by 75,000 people, waters from the still-swelling Fitzroy River cut the main road leading to the state capital of Brisbane. Scores of families abandoned their homes for relief centres set up on high ground.

Forecasts say more rain may be on the way to the region.