Australia's third-biggest city is besieged by once-in-a-century floods .

Residents use a beach on the banks of the swollen Brisbane River to fill sand bags as flood waters inundate Brisbane on January 12, 2011

Residents pitch in to save the Plough Inn pub as flood waters inundate Brisbane on January 12, 2011. Australia's third-biggest city is besieged by once-in-a-century floods that could hit up to 20,000 homes, as fears grew up to 25 people were killed by raging torrents.

People look at a flooded building and green at Sandy Gallop Golf Club after rainwaters inundated the day before the city of Ipswich, some 40 kms southwest of the Queensland city of Brisbane on January 12, 2011. Australia's third-biggest city Brisbane was besieged on January 12 by once-in-a-century floods that could hit up to 20,000 homes, as fears grew up to 25 people were killed by raging torrents.

A cabin cruiser torn from its mooring is swept along by the swollen Brisbane River as flood waters inundate Brisbane on January 12, 2011. Australia's third-biggest city is besieged by once-in-a-century floods that could hit up to 20,000 homes, as fears grew up to 25 people were killed by raging torrents


This general view shows flooding on Brisbane Street in the Ipswich city centre, some 40 kms southwest of the Queensland city of Brisbane on January 12, 2011

People come out to view a flooded area around Limestone Street in the Ipswich city centre, some 40 kms southwest of the Queensland city of Brisbane on January 12, 2011. Australia's third-biggest city Brisbane was besieged on January 12 by once-in-a-century floods that could hit up to 20,000 homes, as fears grew up to 25 people were killed by raging torrents