Australia death toll rises in historic flooding on east coast as climate change ravages
- At least 13 found dead as Australia braces for further potential ‘life-threatening’ flash flooding
- Fire and Rescue NSW called it ‘one-thousand-year floods’, while meteorologists said this summer is Sydney’s wettest in 30 years
The death toll of the historic floods affecting Australia’s east coast rose to at least 13 on Wednesday. Australian authorities said at least nine people died in Queensland and a fourth person was confirmed dead in New South Wales.
Severe thunderstorms were still forecast in both Queensland and NSW going ahead, with Greater Sydney also bracing for potential “life-threatening” flash flooding.
“Early tomorrow morning and throughout the day, we could see severe thunderstorms bringing heavy rain, damaging winds and possibly even large hail,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Dean Narramore said on Wednesday.
“We have aircraft providing help and performing rescues with ground personnel doing everything they can,” New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said. “Flash floods are possible right along our coastline. Emergency services are door-knocking in communities at risk. Please follow their advice.”
Fire and Rescue NSW said it continued its response to what it termed “one-thousand-year floods” including with “in-water” rescue experts. Images from the hardest-hit areas showed towns and farmlands submerged.
