Five people have died and three people are missing across Australia after storms smashed the east coast from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.
In Queensland, a nine-year-old girl is believed to have drowned after she went missing in Rochedale South yesterday.
Multiple search and rescue operations were also undertaken, with one at Mary River in Gympie finding a 40-year-old woman’s body in the water after she was swept away in flood waters.
Emergency services are still searching for another woman, aged 46, who was also swept away near Kidd Bridge at 3.20pm.
Emergency services are still searching for two people who are unaccounted for.
More than 1217 incidents have been attended to by 1000 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers since December 22.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearn said in the last 24 hours crews had attended to 500 incidents including seven flood rescues at Tathra, Manar, Lake Bathurst, Tarago, Bega and at Narrabarba near Eden.
Video shows lightning striking down a tree above a garage in Singleton and hail raining down on a backyard in Rutherford.
Assistant Commissioner Kearns said incidents involving hail-damaged properties and fallen trees have demanded attention in the Hunter.
“At Rutherford and Maitland, our crews are actively involved in the cleanup after hail damaged 80 properties, with assessments ongoing,” Kearns said.
Kearns said conditions were expected to ease in the coming days.
“With the holiday season and unpredictable weather conditions, it’s essential for everyone to stay informed and prioritise safety,” he said.
“If you come across flooded roads, fallen trees, or any other hazards, please exercise caution, and if you require assistance from the NSW SES, call 132 500.
“In emergencies call Triple Zero.”
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Towns across Victoria are experiencing widespread flooding.
A watch and act warning has been issued for Avoca River to Charlton Town with moderate flooding likely to develop this morning with a river peak of 7 metres expected.
“Rainfall totals of 30-105 mm were recorded in the Avoca catchment in the 48 hours to 9.00 am Tuesday,” Victoria Emergency said.
No more rainfall is forecast for that region.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued initial minor flood warnings for Bunyip River, Snowy River, Werribee River and the Loddon River.
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