Severe thunderstorms have hampered the reconnection of power to flood-weary southeast Queenslanders.

Queensland police say a teenager photographed as she was swept to what appeared to be certain death in Toowoomba has survived.

About 150 mourners gathered to farewell Donna and Jordan Rice - the teen who sacrificed himself to save his brother.

As floodwaters continue to isolate large areas of Queensland and Victoria, the ground is being laid for recriminations and blame.

Sealegs International is to deploy a second rescue craft in Brisbane.

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

Two bull sharks have been spotted swimming past the McDonald’s restaurant in suburban Ipswich, south-west of Brisbane, 30km from the coast.

At least 476 people were killed when torrential rains unleashed mudslides near Rio, in Brazil.

'Her legs got caught in the sleepers and she was drowning with her baby in her arms.'

Queensland residents have been told to prepare for the 'unbearable stench' that follows a flood as the massive clean-up begins.

Officials are keeping a close watch on flood levees protecting a town bordering Queensland and New South Wales as water levels creep within 40cm of their 11 metre limit.

The water is starting to recede in Queensland but the body count continues to rise in the devastated Lockyer Valley region where dozens of people remain missing.