600 Australian homes remain under water in flood-hit Queensland: premier

As many as 600 homes remain under water as a result of flood, the biggest single event Queensland has had to face in its history, Australia's Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.

She urged flood-affected Queensland residents to be patient as the floodwaters recede.

"As the waters go down that is the time the need for patience is only just beginning," she said.

Bligh said roads must be checked for safety and inspections are required of houses that have been flooded.

Bligh also said the public appeal for flood victims has reached 17.8 million AU dollars (17.7 million U.S. dollars) with 5.3 million AU dollars (5.26 million U.S. dollars) of that coming through people delivering donations to banks.

She said that ordinary mums and dads were making donations to the appeal and she thanked all concerned.

Source: Xinhua