<p><br /> Drenching rains have pounded communities across northeastern Australia, flooding major highways and prompting hundreds of evacuations.<br /> </p><p><br /> Days of torrential downpours have left many communities inundated, with up to 11 inches falling in a 24-hour period in some areas.<br /> </p><p><br /> Flooding has shut down about 300 roads across Queensland, including two major highways to the state capital Brisbane.<br /> </p><p><br /> At Chinchilla, Charleys Creek reached levels not seen for almost 70 years with about 40 homes and businesses inundated and residents also holed up at an evacuation centre.<br /> </p><p><br /> The rain has also caused at least $400 million worth of damage to crops across the state, including sunflower and cotton, that were just recovering from months of drought.<br /> </p><p><br /> Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to the volunteers who are helping in the flood-affected areas.<br /> </p>
