According to NCA Newswire, 16 evacuation orders were issued Tuesday afternoon, affecting over 26,000 people, and five evacuation warnings applying to 12,000 people in the state of New South Wales.
Major flooding was recorded across New South Wales for the second time in the past two months, 9News broadcaster reported, adding that the search for a missing woman continues.
Water in the rivers rose by about 12 metres (40 feet) in flooded areas. Popular tourist town Byron Bay has been submerged under a meter-deep water. In less than 24 hours, the town received up to 300mm of rain.