Australia Floods Claim Four Lives, Strand Tens of Thousands as Sydney Faces Ongoing Disruptions

Relentless rains in Australia’s southeast have claimed a fourth life, with a man’s body discovered in a car submerged in floodwaters near Coffs Harbour, approximately 550 km north of Sydney.

The death toll rises as the region grapples with the aftermath of three days of torrential downpours that have isolated around 50,000 people, swept away livestock, and destroyed homes across New South Wales, the nation’s most populous state. Emergency services are still searching for one missing person as floodwaters continue to pose significant risks.

Widespread Isolation and Dangers in Flooded Regions

The deluge, which began earlier this week, has cut off entire towns in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions, leaving communities stranded. Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston warned returning residents to remain vigilant.

“Floodwaters carry contaminants, vermin, and snakes, and electricity poses additional hazards,” he said during a Friday briefing. Visuals from the region depict submerged intersections, street signs barely visible above water, and cars engulfed up to their windshields. Debris, including dead livestock, has washed ashore along the coast, compounding the crisis.

Real-time updates indicate that some areas, like Taree, one of the hardest-hit towns, remain inaccessible. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese canceled a planned visit to Taree due to the flooding, addressing reporters from Maitland in the Hunter region.

“Our thoughts are with communities cut off at this time. You’re not alone,” he said, emphasizing government support. As of May 23, 2025, emergency services report that 1,200 personnel are deployed, with over 400 flood rescues conducted in the past 48 hours.

Did You Know?
In 2022, New South Wales experienced its worst flooding in decades, with Lismore recording over 700 mm of rain in a single day, underscoring the growing intensity of weather events in the region.

Sydney Faces Transport Chaos as Weather System Moves South

The wild weather system, which dumped four months’ worth of rain in just three days, shifted south toward Sydney on Thursday night, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts conditions will ease by Friday evening, but disruptions persist.

Sydney’s rail network, including airport line services, faced delays due to waterlogged tracks. Sydney Airport temporarily closed two of its three runways on Friday morning due to high winds, causing flight delays.

Warragamba Dam, supplying 80% of Sydney’s water, is at 96% capacity and at risk of spilling over, potentially exacerbating flooding risks.

Climate Change Fuels Extreme Weather Patterns

Experts link the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events to climate change. Davide Faranda, a weather researcher at ClimaMeter, noted, “What were once rare downpours are now becoming the new normal; climate change is rewriting Australia’s weather patterns.” This follows a pattern of destructive weather, with floods recurring since early 2021 after years of droughts and bushfires.

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology highlights that parts of New South Wales received up to 400 mm of rain this week, equivalent to a third of the region’s annual rainfall.