Australia floods force thousands more to flee from country’s largest city of Sydney

Federal government has declared a natural disaster in 23 flooded parts of New South Wales, unlocking relief payments to stricken residents

Evacuation orders and warnings to prepare to abandon homes were given to 50,000 people, up from 32,000 on Monday, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said

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New South Wales residents are bracing for more heavy rain and flooding as dangerous downpours continue in the region. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:21pm, 5 Jul 2022Updated: 12:22am, 6 Jul 2022

Rain-swollen rivers spilled mud-brown waters across swathes of Sydney on Tuesday, swamping homes and roads while forcing thousands to flee.

Evacuation orders and warnings to prepare to abandon homes were given to 50,000 people, up from 32,000 on Monday, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

“This event is far from over. Please don’t be complacent, wherever you are. Please be careful when you’re driving on our roads. There is still substantial risk for flash flooding across our state,” Perrottet said.

Days of torrential rain have caused dams to overflow and waterways to break their banks, bringing a fourth flood emergency in 16 months to parts of the city of 5 million people.

A resident looks out at floodwaters from his home in Chittaway Bay on the Central Coast, North of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Australia has been at the sharp end of climate change, with droughts, deadly bush fires, bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef and floods becoming more common and intense as global weather patterns change.

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