people in the city of Townsville, on Australia's eastern coast, are facing tough times. First, the city was devastated by high winds and severe floods. One person was killed and several houses damaged by the floods. And now, snakes, spiders and scorpions have become the latest threats to flood-hit northern Queensland, say authorities.

The government has declared emergency in the region. Military personnel have been rushed to the spot for clean-up efforts, removing rocks from roads and debris from landslides. Neil Kirby, assistant police commissioner, North Queensland, has warned that the number of people treated for bites may go up. Snakes in particular pose a high potential for serious illness and even death. So people should be alert,' he warned. Australia is the home of some the world's most poisonous reptiles.