<p><br /> Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has visited flood ravaged towns to show her support to victims, many of whom have evacuated their homes.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Balonne River is expected to reach a level of 13.4m this weekend, falling slightly shorter of the 14 metre mark first expected, and sparing the 5,000 people who live nearby of further destruction.<br /> </p><p><br /> Residents of St George, however, are still preparing levee banks around their houses as a precaution.<br /> </p><p><br /> Gillard inspected the town and then left in an army helicopter to inspect Rockhampton where the Fitzroy River is over 9m.<br /> </p><p><br /> Some residents will not be able to return to their homes until waters subside next week.<br /> </p><p><br /> The floods which have recently affected central Queensland cover an area greater than France and Germany combined.<br /> </p>
