Once in a lifetime flooding. Emergency services fear as many as 54,000 people could be displaced as the Australia floods continue.
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Hundreds of people have been rescued and around 18,000 evacuated as record rain brought more extreme flooding to Australia’s east coast.
Emergency services fear up to 54,000 people could be displaced, with rain forecast to continue until Wednesday
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told parliament that 35 communities in northern New South Wales had been isolated and emergency services had conducted more than 700 flood rescues.
“We are grateful at this point that no lives have been lost so far,” Mr Morrison said. “But weakened foundations for buildings, for roads and trees, they all create risk, as do downed power lines and rising water levels.”
A year ago, vast swathes of the state were hit by unprecedented wildfires, but now some of the same areas are experiencing levels of rain only seen every 50 to 100 years.
New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian said up to 38 parts of the state had been declared natural disaster areas.
Bureau of Meteorology national flood services manager Justin Robinson described the rainfall as a “very significant flood event for New South Wales”.
“I’ve been a flood forecaster with the bureau for 20 years and this is probably the worst flooding that I’ve experienced,” Mr Robinson said.
Thousands of people have been affected with 40 flood warnings and 20 evacuation orders along the state’s mid north coast, and in western Sydney. Houses had been submerged and destroyed while several communities have lost power.
Heavy rain will remain a serious risk into Tuesday, with communities in these areas facing the worst flooding conditions since 1929.
On Monday, emergency services rescued around 20 dogs from rising floodwaters in northwest Sydney. Read more from Sky
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