Sources:  Various

Australia's 'worst natural disaster in history' according to Premier Anna Bligh, has reached Brisbane, the third largest city in the country.  

Aside from the horrific toll on people, homes, and businesses, many horses have been caught in the waters and only truly heroic actions by selfless rescuers has been able to help them.

Some of these horse rescues have been caught on video, while other clips show horses swimming and horses bravely crossing a fast moving stream. 

There were huge flash floods in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, sweeping away cars sometimes with people in them.  

This area of Queensland is known as a major farming area which has been devastated.  Farm buildings and animals, in lucky cases, survive on small islands surrounded by raging waters.

In addition, the Thoroughbred horse racing industry has a large number of facilities in the area which have suffered severe damage.  On January 6th, Racing Queensland Limited announced a flood relief fund to help facilities, trainers, jockeys, and race track workers with recovery.

The Standardbred industry has also suffered losses, both in livestock and racing personnel.  Standardbred Canada is reporting that one of the track Stewards, James Perry, is missing.  He was spotted stranded on his car roof with his wife and son, who were rescued by a helicopter.   When it returned to pick him up, both he and the car were gone and he is listed among the missing.  

One Standardbred farm, Cold Mountain Stud, has lost 80 horses in the flooding.  The farm personnel were rescued, but the horses could not be saved.