Deadly Floods in New South Wales Force Mass Evacuations

Three people have died and one is missing after big floods hit New South Wales (NSW). Over 50,000 people have been told to get ready to leave their homes.

The heavy rain has been called a natural disaster. It came from a slow-moving weather system. Some people say it is the worst rain they have ever seen. The head of the State Emergency Service (SES) said it broke many records.

More than 2,000 emergency workers are helping with rescues. Some people were saved from rooftops during the night.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the danger is not over. He asked people to listen to emergency messages. More heavy rain is on the way.

Searches are still going on for people who are missing on the Mid North Coast. One woman disappeared when her car was caught in floodwater. A man went missing after walking near a flooded road and not coming home.

Over 100 schools have closed because of the floods. Thousands of homes and shops have no power. Evacuation centers are open for people who had to leave their homes.

NSW police said 22 people were saved by helicopter. That includes 18 people from flooded homes and roads, and four people from a bridge. Four dogs and one cat were also rescued.

Taree, a city on the Mid North Coast, has been hit hard. A river there rose over 6.3 meters (20.6 feet), breaking a record that had stood for almost 100 years.

The body of a 63-year-old man was found on Wednesday at a home near Taree. His name was David Knowles. Police are looking into what happened.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared kind words for the man’s family. He called the death "devastating" on social media.

On Thursday, the body of a man in his 30s was found in floodwater near Rosewood. He had earlier been reported trapped while driving.

Later, police found the body of a 60-year-old woman near Coffs Harbour. She had gotten into trouble during the floods.

Another man, aged 49, is still missing in Nymboida, about 40 km from Grafton.

More rain is coming. By Friday, some areas may get another 300 mm (12 inches) of rain.

Almost 10,000 homes in the Mid North Coast could flood.

Premier Minns said the state is getting ready for more bad news. He said it is hard to get food and supplies to people in remote areas. He added that the prime minister has offered federal help.

Minns asked people in “prepare to evacuate” zones to leave if they can. He knows some people, like the elderly or those with young kids, may not be able to. But if most people leave, it helps everyone.

The NSW SES said it did over 300 rescues in the past day. Since the floods started, they have done more than 500.

SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said fast rivers and flooded roads make rescues hard. He said they are using helicopters, boats, and tall trucks when it is safe.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the government is doing all it can. He said, “These are not records we want to break,” but the rain and flooding are worse than ever before.