The death toll from catastrophic floods in southeastern Australia rose to four on Friday after emergency crews discovered a man's body in a car submerged by floodwaters near Coffs Harbour, some 550 kilometres north of Sydney.
The discovery follows three days of relentless rainfall that has cut off entire towns, swept away livestock, and destroyed homes, leaving around 50,000 people isolated, emergency officials said.
Authorities continue to search for at least one person still missing since the deluge began earlier this week.
“Floodwaters have contaminants, there can be vermin, snakes... so you need to assess those risks. Electricity can also pose a danger,” warned New South Wales Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston during a Friday media briefing.
Drone footage and local broadcasts showed submerged streets, drowned vehicles, and overflowing rivers across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, the country's most populous state.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had planned to visit the worst-hit town of Taree, said his trip had to be cancelled due to inaccessible roads.
“We did try... but that was not possible due to the circumstance, which I’m sure people understand,” Albanese said during a visit to Maitland, another affected area.
“We’re here to say, clearly and explicitly — you’re not alone.”
Coastal damage and rising climate concerns
Debris from the floodwaters, along with dead and missing livestock, has washed up on beaches, prompting warnings about coastal pollution and hazards.
The extreme weather comes amid growing concerns over climate change. According to Davide Faranda, a researcher with ClimaMeter, rare flood events are becoming increasingly common in Australia.
“What once were rare downpours are now becoming the new normal — climate change is rewriting Australia’s weather patterns, one flood at a time,” Faranda said.
Since early 2021, Australia has faced successive floods following years of drought and devastating bushfires in the previous decade.
Transport and infrastructure disruptions
A powerful weather system, which delivered nearly four months' worth of rainfall in just three days, moved south toward Sydney on Thursday. Heavy rain and strong winds continued through Friday morning, though the Bureau of Meteorology said conditions are expected to ease later in the day.
Public transport has been significantly affected. Water on the tracks caused delays on several suburban train lines, including Sydney’s critical airport rail link. Sydney Airport was forced to close two of its three runways for an hour due to high winds, causing flight delays.
Officials are also closely monitoring Warragamba Dam, which supplies around 80% of Sydney’s drinking water and is currently at 96% capacity. Authorities have warned of a potential spillover if rains persist.
Emergency crews continue to work across affected regions to restore access, assess damage, and provide aid to those stranded.
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