The central Victorian town of Carisbrook is under water, with nearly 200 homes submerged by floods.

We are more familiar with El Nino, but La Nina cycles have left an imprint in Australia and NZ too.

Residents have been evacuated from their homes as torrential rain falls over western Victoria.

Experts blame a combination of a La Nina weather pattern and global warming for the magnitude of the Queensland flood disaster.

NZ's Civil Defence team was back on the move in flood-ravaged Queensland today after spending a frustrating day off confined to one of the state's isolated communities.

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.

The threat of looting is making Queensland flood victims reluctant to evacuate their properties.

Brisbane's mayor has called on residents to 'put the shoulder to the wheel' and help clean up.

The frightening power of the brown surge heading towards Moreton Bay leaves no mistake about the devastation that this flood has done.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef, one of the ecological wonders of the world, may also be severely affected by the Queensland floods.

Find out what people are saying about the Queensland floods in social media.

The Brisbane River peaked at 4.6m this morning with residents warned there would be shocking scenes of devastation.