The storms have dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, authorities said, causing death and devastation.
Parts of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, have been the worst hit by the fast-rising watersImage: Lindsay Moller/AAP/dpa/picture alliance
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Incessant rain over the past three days has unleashed massive floods in eastern Australia, inundating streets, cutting off entire towns and destroying homes.
Parts of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, have been the worst hit by the fast-rising waters.
The storms have dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, the government weather bureau has said.
The government has declared a natural disaster, unlocking greater resources for affected areasImage: NSW State Emergency Service/Anadolu/picture alliance
What do we know about the flood damage in New South Wales?
The death toll from the floods rose to four on Friday.
Four bodies have been pulled from the floodwater engulfing parts of northern New South Wales, a region some 400 kilometers (250 miles) up the coast from Sydney.
"These are horrific circumstances," Albanese said. "The Australian Defense Force will be made available. There's going to be a big recovery effort required," he told local radio.
"There's been massive damage to infrastructure and we're going to have to all really pitch in."
The government has declared a natural disaster, unlocking greater resources for affected areas.
Tens of thousands still stranded
Waters started receding on Friday morning, but around 50,000 people still remain isolated, authorities said.
Thousands of workers have been deployed on rescue and recovery missions, as well as clean-up operations.
Officials also warned people returning to their flooded homes to watch out for dangers.
"Floodwaters have contaminants. There can be vermin, snakes. You need to assess those risks," New South Wales State Emergency Service boss Dallas Burnes said. "Electricity can also pose a danger as well."
Australia: Severe flooding in New South Wales
After days of heavy rain, entire villages are cut off from the outside world and the authorities are reporting thousands of rescue missions and evacuations. The all-clear is not in sight.
Image: Lindsay Moller/AAP/dpa/picture alliance
Emergency operation in flood area
Prolonged rainfall has caused severe flooding in eastern Australia. Entire villages have been cut off from the outside world by the water, with tens of thousands of people seeking shelter from the floods. According to the authorities, at least two people have died and others are missing.
Image: Lindsay Moller/AAP/dpa/picture alliance
Flood of the century in New South Wales
Several communities in New South Wales have been severely affected by the flood disaster. They are located around 400 kilometers north-east of Sydney. According to the Australian Weather Service, in some areas it rained as much in three days as it normally does in six months. These are the worst floods in the region for over 100 years.
Image: NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE/HANDOUT/AFP
Evacuations by air
Rescue workers are using helicopters and boats to evacuate people from roofs or bridges in flooded areas. Jihad Dib, New South Wales Minister for Disaster Management, reported numerous such rescue operations in the last 24 hours. "We've seen more rain and more flooding in the mid-to-north coast area than we've ever seen before," said Dib.
Image: Sam Halloran/Handout/AAP/dpa/picture alliance
Flood risk in road traffic
Around 2,500 rescue workers were deployed in the flooded areas with boats, helicopters and hundreds of search drones. Numerous dangerous emergencies arose on the roads. Drivers lost control of their vehicles while driving through flooded roads or tried to get to safety on the roof of their cars from suddenly rising water levels.
Image: NSW State Emergency Service/Anadolu/picture alliance
Further bad news expected
The authorities warned of further heavy rainfall. Christopher Minns, the Premier of New South Wales, urged more than 50,000 people to prepare for evacuations to avoid being trapped by floodwaters. "We are bracing for more bad news," Minns said.
Image: NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE/HANDOUT/AFP
Masses of water push from inland to the coast
Meteorologist Angus Hines reported on Australian television that an area of low pressure is stubbornly persisting over the affected region, causing heavy rainfall. Further dangerous flooding is expected when the masses of water from the rugged regions in the inland push through the rivers towards the coast.
Image: Lindsay Moller/AAP/REUTERS
Emergency in New South Wales
Rescue workers in Port Macquarie travel by motorboat through flooded streets. The government officially declared a state of disaster to release funds for protection and relief measures. Tens of thousands of people in the affected areas are completely cut off and many lack supplies of food or medicine.
Image: Lindsay Moller/AAP/dpa/picture alliance
"We aren't over the worst of it yet"
Water as far as the eye can see. The Australian Minister for Disaster Management, Kristy McBain, warned: "We aren't over the worst of it yet." Several rivers burst their banks in the rural Mid North Coast region, where entire areas will remain under water for some time to come.
Image: Harrison Reed/Handout/REUTERS
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Frequent extreme weather events
Australia has been facing more extreme weather events in recent years that some experts say are happening because of climate change.
According to the government weather bureau, the oceans surrounding the country have been "abnormally warm" over the past few months.
Warmer seas lead to the evaporation of more moisture into the atmosphere, which can eventually cause more intense rains.
Australia has been facing more extreme weather events in recent years Image: NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE/HANDOUT/AFP
