Floods in Australia

Australia: Thousands of Australians were evacuated yesterday, with dozens being rescued, as monsoonal rains sparked flash flooding and landslides and a cyclone threatened to form in the Pacific Ocean.

Emergency authorities ordered 4,200 residents of five towns in New South Wales to abandon their homes as a huge storm lashed northeast Australia, causing rivers to break their banks.

“Do not delay your evacuation. Roads will be congested or closed. You could become trapped and need rescue,” the NSW State Emergency Service said