Brisbane: The Australian port of Brisbane will be closed from midnight tonight and all ships will be removed from the port's berth due to forecasts of severe flooding, the local authority advised on Tuesday. Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) said the port will be closed until further notice. "There is a possibility that various roads linking to and from the port could be cut due to flooding," MSQ said in a statement. "There is also the potential risk that the port will experience power loss, due to sub-station flooding or other force majeure from the flooding." The authority has advised all port businesses to send home non-essential staff and cease operations in accordance with their risk assessments. MSQ added that a core group of security and operational staff will be located at Whyte Island to continue relying information first-hand. The port's situation will be re-assessed at first light on Wednesday. Brisbane, Australia's third largest city, could see some 6,500 homes and businesses go under water as Queensland state suffers its worst floods in decades. [11/01/11]
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