Homes evacuated, cars washed away and first deaths
Australian authorities have declared a natural disaster and thousands of people have been evacuated after days of torrential rain and flooding killed one man and inundated large parts of the country's east coast, Reuters reports.
Around 5,000 residents in Lismore, in northern New South Wales state, were evacuated from their homes as floodwaters, in some places more than 10-metres deep, surged across riverlands stretching along 186 miles of coastline.
"The declaration will provide for a range of assistance to cover personal hardship and distress as well as funding for those who have suffered property damage," state Premier Nathan Rees said.
The flooding followed days of rain and cyclonic winds in Queensland and New South Wales that killed one man forced authorities to use helicopters to rescue others.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered help to flood-hit areas. "It is critical residents follow the instructions of local authorities and as far as possible stay indoors and avoid the roads," he said.
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