Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to flee their homes as the east coast of Australia is hit by heavy rainfall, resulting in flooded towns and cities and citizens[/B] being trapped on the roofs of their homes, with authorities warning of life-threatening flash floods.
Nine people have died since extreme weather began in Australia on Thursday, and rescue crews are currently searching for at least four missing people.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who described the unusual rainfall as a "weather bomb", said members of the armed forces would be deployed to the affected areas to lead rescue and damage restoration operations.
Australia's weather service has warned that there remains a risk of flash flooding in New South Wales as extreme weather moves south from the neighbouring state of Queensland.
"What we are seeing today is unprecedented and the recommendations we have received is to expect things to get worse," New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrotte pointed out."
[BR][BR][BR]The Brisbane River in Queensland overflowed this morning causing many roads in Australia's third largest city to flood. Posts on social media show flooded homes and debris, as well as rubbish bins, boats and cars being swept away by the water that has flooded the streets.
Australia's east coast has been dominated this summer by the La Niña climate phenomenon, which has been associated with heavy rainfall for the second year in a row.
Several areas have seen record rainfall in February, with some seeing the amount of rain that fell in one day equal to what is normally recorded in a month.
Many of the nine people who died were killed when they tried to cross flooded roads, either on foot or in their vehicles, including one who was found in a car under water this morning, along with his dog.
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes and tens of thousands more have been put on alert awaiting evacuation orders, while thousands of schools have been closed and at least 50,000 homes remain without electricity.
Source: APE
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