SYDNEY (AP) – Australia’s most populous state in New South Wales issued several evacuation orders on Sunday after the worst floods in decades.
New South Wales emergency services responded to 640 calls for help on Saturday night, including 66 for flood relief.
New South Wales Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian said hundreds of people had been rescued.
Evacuation orders have been issued at several locations on the north coast of the north of the state, which Berejiklian said he is facing a 100-year event and “although we do not believe things will get worse in the middle of the north coast.” , certainly the conditions will continue, so the precipitations will continue over the parts that have already been affected. ”
Berejiklian also said parts of western Sydney are affected by a 50-year weather event, with some locations recording more than 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain on Friday morning, setting records.
The Warragamba Dam, west of Sydney, began to overflow on Sunday and so far 13 evacuation centers have been opened across the state. More evacuations are expected, as it is estimated that the bad weather will last until the middle of the week.
Local authorities are urging people not to drive through flooded areas, as they could be easily moved by strong currents.