Nearly 50,000 isolated by rising floodwaters in eastern Australia

21/5/2025 18:03

Almost 50,000 people have been isolated by rising floodwaters in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW).



The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said on Wednesday afternoon that over 48,800 people and 23,200 dwellings have been cut off by flooding in the state's Mid North Coast region, over 200 km northeast of Sydney.



The Mid North Coast and surrounding regions have experienced four consecutive days of heavy rainfall, causing widespread record-breaking flooding.



The SES has issued 109 flood warnings and ordered evacuations across the affected area and opened evacuation centers.



In an update shortly after 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday, the SES said that emergency service crews had completed more than 400 flood rescue operations, with helicopters and boats deployed to help people who had become trapped.



The Australian Defense Force (ADF) has been deployed to aid with air evacuations.