Big clean-up under way in flood-ravaged Australia

Sydney : A "gut-wrenching" clean-up was in full swing Monday as floodwaters receded across parts of Australia devastated by a cyclone, with residents and business owners returning to thick mud, piles of debris and ruined property.

At least two people were killed and three remain missing after torrential rain and powerful winds pummelled large swathes of Queensland and New South Wales states over the past week, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people and causing huge damage. 

While the worst of the weather is over, with Cyclone Debbie moving out to sea on Saturday, the daunting task facing those affected is just beginning.

New South Wales State Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Mark Morrow said it would be a long haul for towns such as Lismore and Murwillumbah that were inundated by floods.

"The mud, combination of chemicals, raw sewage, paint which gets into everything. Two to three metres above floor level. Nothing escaped this. It was a very, very big flood," he said.

Many of those who fled the area have begun heading back, with Morrow warning "it won't be pleasant." 

"It will be a lot of work for those people as they return today," he said.

Military and emergency personnel continued to work to restore essential services such as water and electricity in affected towns, where hundreds of homes have been deemed uninhabitable.

The Insurance Council of Australia has estimated the damage bill could reach Aus$1 billion (US$770 million), as people braved mud-caked streets to begin clearing out homes and shops, with mountains of ruined possessions piled on pavements.

Adding to their worries was the fear of looting, with New South Wales police charging one man with theft and moving on 16 more who were "acting suspiciously".

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said seeing the damage up close was heart-breaking, as he toured Lismore.   

"Seeing it first-hand and the impact, treasured possessions, all of a life's work, all of the assets of a business flung out onto the pavement -- that is gut-wrenching stuff," he said.