In a catastrophic turn of events, southeastern Australia is grappling with severe flooding that has claimed four lives and left approximately 50,000 residents isolated. The relentless rainfall over the past three days has submerged towns, destroyed homes, and disrupted essential services across New South Wales (NSW).

The death toll rose to four after the body of a man in his 70s was discovered in a submerged vehicle near Coffs Harbour. Another individual remains missing, prompting continued search and rescue operations. Emergency services have conducted over 670 rescues, with 177 people saved in the past 24 hours alone.

The floods have severely impacted regions including the Mid North Coast, Hunter, and North Coast areas of NSW. Over 9,500 properties have suffered damage, and more than 100 schools have been closed. Power outages are widespread, leaving thousands without electricity.

Major rivers such as the Macleay and Hastings have overflowed, exacerbating the crisis. The Warragamba Dam, a crucial water source for Sydney, has reached 97% capacity, raising concerns about potential overflow.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns have visited the flood-affected areas, pledging federal disaster payments and additional support. Albanese emphasized the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events, attributing them to climate change.

The Australian Defence Force has been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. Evacuation centers have been established, and disaster recovery allowances will be available for the hardest-hit areas starting Monday.

While the weather has begun to ease, authorities warn that flood risks persist due to saturated catchments and the potential for further rainfall. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and heed official warnings as the region transitions from emergency response to recovery.