INTERNATIONAL

New South Wales evacuates 18,000 as floods worsen

About 18,000 Australians have been evacuated from flooding across New South Wales (NSW) as heavy rain continues to batter the east coast.

Days of torrential downpours have caused rivers and dams to overflow around Sydney – the state capital – and in south-east Queensland.

Officials say the “one-in-a-50-year event” may continue all week and have urged the public to exercise caution.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has offered funds for those forced to flee.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said no deaths had been reported by late Monday – describing it as “a miracle given what we have been through”.

But there has been widespread damage in the affected areas, which are home to about a third of Australia’s 25 million people.

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