Massive floods strand over 50k

Rising floodwaters stranded more than 50,000 people in eastern Australia yesterday, as torrential rain pummelled water-logged towns for a second day and engorged rivers swallowed roads, leaving two dead.

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Police have pulled two bodies from floodwaters on the Mid North Coast, a river-braided region of rugged hills and fertile valleys about 400 kilometres north of Sydney.

Authorities launched a major search and rescue mission as people clambered atop cars, houses and highway bridges to escape the tide of muddy water.

The storms have in some areas dumped more than half a year’s worth of rain over just three days, the government weather bureau said.