Massive Floods Claim 22 lives In Australia As Crisis Escalates.

Massive floods have shut down Australia's third largest city, putting at least 20,000 homes in peril. According to The Associated Press,
the muddy waters reached the tops of traffic lights in some areas of Brisbane, forcing residents to seek higher ground.

At the time of this writing, at least 22 people have died in Australia's northeastern state of Queensland, and dozens of others have been reported missing. Search and rescue teams in helicopters saved hundreds of people on Tuesday and emergency vehicles are expected to head into the worst-hit parts of the valley today.

"Some of the houses have exploded with the force of the water. People have been washed away. It will take days to complete this search and recovery," Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Stewart told Reuters.

The Brisbane River, which is partly controlled by a dam upstream, is expected to reach its highest point on Thursday. However, floodwaters may stay at peak levels until at least Saturday. Damage from the floods is currently estimated at $5 billion.