BBC:
Two people have died and another two are missing after major flooding in New South Wales (NSW) left more than 50,000 people under evacuation warnings.
The record rainfall, now declared a natural disaster, was caused by a slow-moving area of low pressure and is greater than any in living memory for some residents, according to the Commissioner of the State Emergency Services.
More than 2,000 emergency service workers are attending rescues, including of people who were stranded on rooftops overnight.
“We’re far from out of the woods,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said, urging residents to pay close attention to emergency broadcasts as more heavy rain is expected in the coming days.
Separate searches are underway for missing people on the Mid North Coast. One woman went missing after her car was trapped in floodwaters. Another man was reported missing after walking near a flooded road, and failing to return home.
More than 100 schools have been closed because of the floods, which have left thousands of homes and businesses without power. Evacuation centres have been opened for those fleeing the flooding.
NSW police say 22 people have been rescued by helicopter, including 18 winched from flooded homes and roads, and four rescued from a bridge. Four dogs and one cat were also rescued with their owners.
Taree, a city on the Mid North Coast, has been among the worst affected. On Wednesday, flooding at a major river in the area surpassed 6.3m (20.6ft), beating an almost century old record for its highest level.
