Australia: 2 dead, 2 missing as historic flooding hits New South Wales

Two people have been confirmed dead and two others remain missing after torrential rains triggered catastrophic flooding across parts of New South Wales (NSW), prompting evacuation warnings for over 50,000 residents.

The unprecedented rainfall — described by authorities as the worst in living memory — was driven by a slow-moving low-pressure system that dumped record-breaking amounts of water across the region. The federal government has officially declared the event a natural disaster.

Emergency services have been stretched to their limits, with more than 2,000 personnel deployed for rescue operations. Authorities reported dozens of people stranded on rooftops overnight, with teams working around the clock to reach those trapped by rising waters.

“This is greater than anything we’ve seen before in these areas,” said the State Emergency Services Commissioner. “Communities that have never flooded are now under water.”

Entire towns have been cut off, and roads and bridges have been submerged or swept away. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but early reports suggest significant losses to property and infrastructure.

Residents in flood-prone zones have been urged to heed evacuation orders and remain alert for further updates. Authorities continue to monitor weather patterns closely, warning that more rain could be on the way.