NEW Giants signing Jamie Simpson told last night of his relief that his family has escaped the worst of the Australian floods.

The 24-year-old rugby league centre, who yesterday signed a three-year contract with the Super League club following his release from top Australian side South Sydney Rabbitohs, is originally from Rockhampton in central Queensland.

Two family homes in that area have suffered major flood damage.

But Sydney-based Simpson admits the fact his family is safe is all that really matters.

“This week has been a living nightmare,” said Simpson, who is expected to arrive in Huddersfield next month when his work permit is processed.

“Because I live in Sydney, I’m well away from the floods, but I’ve obviously been in regular contact with my family, who are all from the Queensland area.

“We do have a couple of family homes in Rockhampton under water which have been seriously hit by flood damage. A major river system meets there, so it’s always a massive threat when the rains are so heavy.

“But the most important thing is that all the members of my family are safe.

“They’re now living in the Brisbane area and away from the areas of the city that have been badly affected and, thankfully, it looks as if the worst flooding has now come to an end.

“In fact, a number of members of my family are now helping in the initial clean-up operation, which has now got under way.

“But clearly it’s going to be a very long time before things get back to normal.”

Parts of Australia’s third-largest city reopened as the deadly floodwaters that had swamped entire neighbourhoods receded, revealing streets and thousands of homes covered in a thick layer of putrid sludge.

Dustbin lorries moved through Brisbane’s muddy streets and some residents dragged ruined furniture out of their homes as the massive clean-up began following one of Australia’s worst natural disasters.

In towns upstream of Brisbane, soldiers picked their way through debris looking for more victims.

Weeks of flooding across Australia’s northeast have caused 25 deaths, and 55 people were still missing.

“There is a lot of heartache and grief as people start to see for the first time what has happened to their homes and their streets,” Queensland state premier Anna Bligh said.

“In some cases, we have street after street after street where every home has been inundated to the roof level.”

The muddy waters from the Brisbane River swamped 30,000 homes and businesses in Brisbane.