Flash floods cut off inland Australian towns

Heavy rain in Australia's south-east triggered flash flooding and cut off entire towns on May 21, leaving some residents stranded on the roofs of their homes, as the authorities issued snap evacuation orders with rivers staying above danger levels.

- 

SYDNEY -

Rural towns in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, were the worst hit from the downpour, with some areas receiving more than four months' worth of rain over the past 24 hours.

"We have seen an enormous amount of rainfall," New South Wales Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib told reporters.