Torrential rains in southeast Australia triggered flash floods and stranded residents on rooftops on Wednesday, prompting emergency evacuation orders across New South Wales as rivers swelled beyond danger levels.
Intense rainfall has lashed southeast Australia, submerging rural towns and forcing residents to seek refuge on rooftops as flash flooding cut off entire communities in New South Wales, the country’s most populous state.
Emergency crews were stretched thin across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions, where some areas received more than four months' worth of rain in just 24 hours.
"We have seen an enormous amount of rainfall," said Jihad Dib, New South Wales Emergency Services Minister. "The rain really has been falling quite heavily and quite hard, and it hasn't been moving away. The ground is saturated, and the rivers are swollen."
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology warned that up to 300 millimetres (12 inches) of rain could fall within the next 24 hours — nearly three times the monthly average for May.
In the flood-hit towns of Taree and Glenthorne, over 300 kilometers north of Sydney, dramatic scenes unfolded as residents were trapped on verandas and rooftops awaiting rescue. Emergency teams struggled overnight to access the areas due to rising waters and challenging conditions.
"We didn't expect this amount of water," said Glenthorne resident Jordan Halloran in an interview with ABC News. "Our neighbours will have to go onto the roof next, and if we're not rescued, I would say we will have to make our way to the roof as well."
Emergency Services Commissioner Mike Wassing said the priority was reaching the most vulnerable. “The current focus will be on people that are actually on roofs or, in other cases, might be on the second story of their home,” Wassing noted.
With rivers remaining at dangerous levels and more rain forecast, authorities continue to issue snap evacuation orders across flood-prone areas.
European Union governments have agreed on a 1.5 billion-euro scheme to fund defence investments, though some countries said its "buy European" rules are too restrictive, diplomats said on Wednesday.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism on Wednesday that an agreement could be reached "in the coming days" in the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and the European Union.
Nippon Steel closed its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel on Wednesday after securing approval from the Trump administration, which obtained a rare “golden share” giving the U.S. government veto power over key corporate decisions.
Sweden’s central bank lowered its key interest rate to 2.00% on Wednesday, citing mild inflation and weaker-than-expected economic growth.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday declined to say whether Washington planned to strike Iran or its nuclear sites, adding that Tehran had reached out but it may now be "too late to be talking."
European Union governments have agreed on a 1.5 billion-euro scheme to fund defence investments, though some countries said its "buy European" rules are too restrictive, diplomats said on Wednesday.
The Dutch government has unveiled official guidelines aimed at limiting smartphone and social media use among children, responding to growing concerns about the negative impact of excessive screen exposure.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism on Wednesday that an agreement could be reached "in the coming days" in the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and the European Union.
Nippon Steel closed its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel on Wednesday after securing approval from the Trump administration, which obtained a rare “golden share” giving the U.S. government veto power over key corporate decisions.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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European Union governments have agreed on a 1.5 billion-euro scheme to fund defence investments, though some countries said its "buy European" rules are too restrictive, diplomats said on Wednesday.
The Dutch government has unveiled official guidelines aimed at limiting smartphone and social media use among children, responding to growing concerns about the negative impact of excessive screen exposure.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism on Wednesday that an agreement could be reached "in the coming days" in the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and the European Union.
The U.S. military stands prepared to execute any decision President Donald Trump makes regarding Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday, as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies with ongoing Israeli strikes against Iranian targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday declined to say whether Washington planned to strike Iran or its nuclear sites, adding that Tehran had reached out but it may now be "too late to be talking."
European Union governments have agreed on a 1.5 billion-euro scheme to fund defence investments, though some countries said its "buy European" rules are too restrictive, diplomats said on Wednesday.
The Dutch government has unveiled official guidelines aimed at limiting smartphone and social media use among children, responding to growing concerns about the negative impact of excessive screen exposure.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism on Wednesday that an agreement could be reached "in the coming days" in the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and the European Union.
Nippon Steel closed its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel on Wednesday after securing approval from the Trump administration, which obtained a rare “golden share” giving the U.S. government veto power over key corporate decisions.
As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, the vital Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern, prompting commercial shipping to reroute and maritime agencies to issue urgent advisories.
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