Australia's eastern shore faced a sudden and severe flooding event.  The deluge was so intense that it dropped more than half a year's worth of rain in just three days.  This sudden downpour led to severe flooding that caused significant damage and loss of life.

    The state of New South Wales was hit the hardest.  This is Australia's most populated state.  The flooding was so severe that it cut off entire towns and destroyed many homes.  The government had to declare a state of natural disaster.  This allowed for more resources to be sent to the affected areas.

    The flooding has caused four deaths.  These deaths occurred in the northern part of New South Wales.  This is a region about 250 miles north of Sydney.  The Prime Minister and the state's Premier visited the affected areas.  They spoke about the need for a massive recovery effort.

    The flooding has left tens of thousands of people stranded.  Even as the waters began to recede, around 50, 000 people were still isolated.  Thousands of workers were deployed to help with rescue and recovery efforts.  They also had to deal with the cleanup.

    Officials warned people returning to their homes to be careful.  Floodwaters can contain contaminants, vermin, and snakes.  There is also the danger of electricity.  The state's emergency service boss emphasized the need to assess these risks.

    Australia has been experiencing more extreme weather events in recent years.  Some experts believe that climate change is to blame.  The oceans surrounding the country have been abnormally warm.  This leads to more moisture in the atmosphere, which can cause more intense rains.

NATURAL DISASTER DECLARED

Australia's East Coast Flooding: A Sudden Deluge

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