Mother and son killed as thousands flee Sydney floods

A MOTHER and son were the latest victims of flooding in Australia yesterday, as authorities warned that the next 24 to 48 hours would be “tough” owing to more torrential rain.

Flood warnings stretched across the country’s east coast yesterday as tens of thousands of Sydney residents fled their homes as flooding hit several of the city’s big suburbs, bringing the death toll to 20.

A 67-year-old woman and her 34-year-old son were found dead near an abandoned car in a stormwater canal in western Sydney, authorities said.

Queensland police also confirmed the death of a man missing in floods since Feb 27. Most of those killed were found either in flooded homes or in cars attempting to cross swamped roads.

Dean Narramore, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster, warned yesterday: “A tough 24 hours or 48 hours ahead.”

He forecast up to 5in of rain in Sydney over the next 24 hours.

The city has been hit with up to 8in of rain since Monday, exceeding March’s mean rainfall of around 5in.

Television footage showed flooded roads and submerged cars in Sydney’s northern beaches.

It follows record downpours in New South Wales and Queensland over recent weeks – cutting off towns, sweeping away farms, livestock and roads.

Scott Morrison, the prime minister, has ordered more defence force personnel to flood-affected areas.

Emergency services say 60,000 people in New South Wales face evacuation. “People make decisions based on past history and I think this event has shown that there is no past history similar to this event,” said Carlene York, the emergency service commissioner.