Flood damage in Grantham, Australia

Australia's worst ever floods struck Queensland in December and January and at one stage swamped an area the size of France and Germany combined. But Grantham, 100km (60 miles) west of Brisbane, was its epicentre Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

The floodwaters rose more violently in Grantham than anywhre else Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Three weeks after what locals calls "an inland tsunami" to descend on Lockyer Valley, the scene around Grantham is still viscerally shocking Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

John Gallagher in his ruined home Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Most of the 22 people confirmed dead from that day, with seven still missing, come from the Lockyer Valley Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

A car damaged by the floods in Grantham Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Floodwaters swiftly engulfed Grantham, converging to an 8m-high wall of water in places, trapping people in cars and tearing children from their parents' arms Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

A home destroyed by the floods in Grantham Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

At a food relief centre in Gatton, near Grantham, owners track down their missing pets. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Staffed by volunteers, the centre is collecting donations and handing them out to flood victims Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

More of the generous donations provided for flood victims. People have come from all over Australia to help out Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Grantham, with its small population of 370, was virtually wiped off the map Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

More homes destroyed by the floods near a school crossing Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

A number of residents have vowed never to return, not wanting to wake up every day in the scene of their nightmare Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian