Weather devastates Australia

Scores are dead from wildfires in Melbourne and residents in the northeast of the country brace themselves for more torrential rain.

Firemen battling the flames in southern Australia.

This footage was shot by firemen showing what they were up against.

Officials assess the extent of the damage, they're estimating that the number of dead could reach 200.

Hundreds have been left homeless in what is being called Australia's worst natural disaster in 110 years.

Around 20 towns north of Melbourne are in the disaster area, which police have declared a crime zone after fires were started deliberately.

In the northeast of the country, residents prepared themselves for more rain.

Torrential rain has battered Ingham, leaving thousands with flooded homes.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT, SAYING:

"It's just crazy at the moment I've never seen it this bad."

Floodwaters rose after 200mm of rain fell in one day.

The damage is expected to cost around 131 million dollars.

More rain is threatening the region as an area of low depression off the coast could form into a cyclone.

Basmah Fahim, Reuters.