Thousands ordered to evacuate as floods hit Sydney, downpour to continue

Thousands of people in parts of Sydney’s northwest were ordered to evacuate their houses in the middle of the night as Australia's east coast was hit by record rainfall and widespread flooding. Heavy downpour is set to continue throughout the state on Sunday, officials have said.

People in parts of Sydney’s northwest were ordered to flee their houses in the middle of the night as heavy rains continued to batter Australia’s east coast on Sunday with fast-moving waters causing widespread destruction throughout the region. Flooding risk and evacuation warnings were in place for about 12 areas in New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most populous state with 8 million people, with rivers swelling and rain accumulation posing danger. “It’s not just the rain which is causing the devastation,” Jonathan How, senior meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology, told the ABC News state broadcaster. “It’s strong winds as well.”