Floods fail to end Australia's years-long drought

Heavy rain has given hope to Australia's drought-stricken regions, but scientists warned Tuesday sustained falls were needed to end a years-long dry spell.

Stormy weather has brought days of chaos and destruction in the country's east, with one man missing after his car was swept off a road in Sydney's north and hundreds more rescued from floodwaters.

In the small town of Stanthorpe, Queensland, Tracy Dobie said the rain had been "a boost for everyone".

"But the drought has not ended," the regional mayor told AFP.

"Our land is so dehydrated -- we've gone three years without rain in some places and five years in others -- it's going to take a long time to get moisture back in the soil."