( CNN ) -- Authorities were using military helicopters and a C-130 cargo plane Sunday to evacuate thousands of residents stranded by rising floodwaters in the eastern Australian state of Queensland , the government said . Heavy rains in recent weeks have swollen rivers beyond their banks , threatening a number of communities in Queensland and New South Wales . Authorities were using the plane and helicopters to evacuate patients from a hospital in particularly hard-hit Queensland town of St. George , where officials were warning about 4,000 residents to get out of the path of what officials say will be a record-breaking flood . `` This is a very serious situation and I urge people to cooperate , '' Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told CNN affiliate Nine Network . The Balonne River is expected to crest Monday at 15 meters ( 49.2 feet ) , swamping the town of St. George . Prime Minister Julia Gillard said authorities were coordinating calls for assistance . `` `` Emergency Management Australia has liaison officers in flood-affected regions to ensure that requests for any further assistance can be actioned immediately , '' Gillard said in a statement . Food and medical supplies have been flown to isolated communities elsewhere in Queensland , authorities said . Rescue workers on Sunday recovered the body of a woman who died trying to drive her pickup through floodwaters , authorities said . Jane Sheahan was swept away Friday in the Queensland town of Roma , authorities said . Witnesses told CNN affiliate Nine Network that Sheahan managed to hand off her 7-year-old son , Darcy , to a would-be rescuer before she was swept away . In the neighboring province of New South Wales , thousands of people remained isolated despite reports of receding floodwaters in some areas . Emergency officials lifted a number of evacuations ordered evacuations early Sunday , though they warned residents not to walk , drive or swim in the receding waters . Flood waters have started to recede around North Moree after five days of major flooding , the New South Wales Emergency Services said , but many of the town 's streets remain closed . Aerial assessments show some 300 homes and businesses have been inundated -- making it the worst flooding in nearly 60 years , CNN affiliate Seven Network reported . Major flooding has also affected communities along the Namoi River , where the town of Wee Waa has been cut off , the New South Wales Emergency Services said . Major flooding is expected to continue there until the middle of this week . Other communities affected by the Namoi River include Boggoabri , Narrabri Bugilbone and Goangra , with flood waters closing roads and inundating some rural properties .
Authorities : Military helicopters and cargo plane used to evacuate patients at hospital . Report : Body of woman who handed her son off to rescuers recovered . Thousands ordered to evacuate in towns in Queensland and New South Wales .