Ex-Cyclone Debbie: Australia floods force more evacuations

Australian authorities have told about 40,000 people to evacuate to higher ground as flash flooding in the aftermath of ex-Cyclone Debbie worsens.

The storm hit Queensland's most populous region on Thursday after pummelling the north-east coast for two days.

The state's capital, Brisbane, was hit with 20cm (8ins) of rain in two hours.

More than 2,000 schools have been forced to close as tens of thousands of people remain without power.

"We have not seen the worst of this weather system in the south-east," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Every school in an almost 600km (370 miles) area stretching from Agnes Water to Coolangatta will remain closed until at least Monday, she said.

Authorities pleaded with people to stay off roads and close shops, saying dozens of people had been rescued from floodwaters."Now is the time to leave. Do not delay. Evacuation orders are mandatory," New South Wales State Emergency Service said.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll said it was "extraordinary" there had not been more injuries, criticising one person seen on a jet ski.

"What our worst fears are is that people do silly things like this, and this is when the tragedy will occur. Please keep your children away from drains [and] stay in your house." she told the local Nine Network.