Flash flooding has struck Australia’s southeast coast, killing at least two people and isolating tens of thousands as torrential rain continues to batter the region. Emergency services are on high alert as authorities warn of more heavy downpours in the next 24 hours.

The worst of the flooding has impacted rural towns across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most populous state. Roads have been washed out, homes inundated, and power cut in several areas, leaving entire communities stranded.

“This is a rapidly evolving emergency,” said a spokesperson from the NSW State Emergency Service. “We are urging residents in affected zones to stay indoors, avoid travel, and follow evacuation orders when issued.”

Meteorologists predict persistent rainfall across the Mid North Coast throughout Thursday, with fears that river levels could rise further, triggering additional flash floods and landslides.

The flooding is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events that have plagued Australia in recent years, intensifying concerns about climate resilience and emergency preparedness in vulnerable areas.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and disaster response teams have been deployed to assist isolated communities.