20 rescued as heavy rains spark flash floods in eastern Australia

Torrential rains in New South Wales prompt flash floods, forcing evacuations in Sydney and leaving 20 people rescued as authorities warn of more severe weather.

Reuters

18 January 2026 at 07:33:14

20 rescued as heavy rains spark flash floods in eastern Australia

A rescue vehicle stands at Narrabeen beach, in Sydney, Australia January 18, 2026.

Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

Australian authorities on Sunday said 20 people were rescued from floodwaters in the eastern state of New South Wales after torrential rains sparked warnings for residents to move to higher ground.

In state capital Sydney, Australia's largest city, residents and holidaymakers were evacuated late on Saturday after dangerous flooding hit the low-lying suburb of Narrabeen, authorities said.

Emergency crews responded to more than 1,400 incidents across the state since the rain hit on Saturday, the authorities said, adding that most rescues related to people driving through floodwaters.

"There has been a lot of flash flooding which has closed roads, and we anticipate some may remain closed for some time," State Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Sonya Oyston said in a statement.

The authorities warned more thunderstorms were possible south of Sydney on Sunday. Some 72.4 mm (2.8 inches) of rain fell on Sydney's northern fringe in 2 hours on Sunday morning, the nation's weather forecaster said.

On Saturday, a woman died after being hit by a falling tree branch near Wollongong, about 66km (41 miles) south of Sydney, amid the wild weather, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

-Sam McKeith/Reuters