Deaths feared in Australia flood

Australian authorities fear people may have drowned 
as a flood emergency grips two states in the wake of 
Cyclone Debbie.

Tens of thousands of residents have evacuated homes in
northern New South Wales (NSW) and southern Queensland.

The storm has moved out to sea after hitting northern
Queensland as a category four cyclone on Tuesday.

However, floodwaters continue to rise after some areas 
had about three times their monthly rainfall on Thursday.

"There could be people overnight that perished in that flood, we don't know at this stage," said Mark Morrow, from the
 New South Wales State Emergency Service.

"There could be some very distressing news."

Many pleas for help had gone unanswered because it was
 too dangerous, he said.

The worst-hit areas included Lismore and Tweed Heads 
in NSW, and the Gold Coast and Beaudesert in Queensland.

Unpredictable situation

"Now is the time to leave. Do not delay. Evacuation orders 
are mandatory," New South Wales State Emergency Service said on Twitter on Thursday.

Authorities said flooding in some towns had not yet reached its peak.

In other developments:

More than 2,000 Queensland schools remained closed on
Friday due to flooding About 80,000 people lost power in
 NSW, adding to tens of thousands without electricity in Queensland One town, Upper Springbrook, recorded almost 80cm (31ins) of rain on Thursday Firefighters had "saved the lives" of at least 85 people trapped in floods, Queensland authorities said Emergency crews may not reach some
 areas until Saturday, Mr Morrow said The cyclone caused major damage to buildings, roads and crops when arrived on Tuesday carrying winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph).

Tourism operators across Queensland reported cancelled
bookings and anticipated long-term disruption to their trade.

Thousands of insurance claims have already been filed, but the state's insurers said it was too early to accurately assess the cost of the damage.

The cyclone is also likely to have damaged the Great Barrier Reef, marine experts warned .