Flooding in southeast Australia has claimed four lives after torrential rains submerged towns, destroyed homes, and left 50,000 people stranded. A man's body was found in a submerged car near Coffs Harbour, while another person remains missing. Emergency officials warn returning residents about flood dangers like contamination, snakes, and electrical hazards. The Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales are among the worst hit, with livestock lost and debris littering the coast.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was forced to cancel a visit to Taree due to rising waters, pledging support to affected communities. The storm system, which dumped months' worth of rain in days, also disrupted Sydney’s transport and airport operations. Experts link the worsening floods to climate change, warning that extreme weather is becoming Australia’s new normal.