Australian authorities have launched a massive recovery operation after deadly floods swept through parts of southeast Australia, killing at least five people and damaging over 10,000 homes and buildings. The flooding, which was triggered by days of relentless rain, has left large swathes of New South Wales and Victoria submerged, displacing thousands of residents and devastating infrastructure.
Emergency services are now working around the clock to clear debris, restore power, and assess structural damage. Crews equipped with boats and helicopters are still reaching remote communities cut off by high waters, while evacuation centers remain operational across multiple regions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited some of the hardest-hit areas and pledged federal support for rebuilding efforts. “We stand with every community affected by this disaster. No one will be left behind,” he said. The federal government has activated disaster relief payments and deployed Australian Defence Force units to assist in recovery operations.
The flooding has been described as one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in recent memory. Entire neighborhoods were swallowed by muddy torrents, roads were washed away, and power outages left more than 40,000 homes without electricity at the peak of the crisis.
In the town of Shepparton, Victoria, residents were seen returning to their homes to find their belongings destroyed by waist-high floodwaters. “It’s heartbreaking. Everything’s gone,” said one resident, standing outside a damaged property.
Officials confirmed that five fatalities have been recorded so far, including two people who were swept away in their vehicles and a child who was trapped in a home when floodwaters rose rapidly. Authorities continue to warn residents not to drive through flooded roads and to heed evacuation orders.
Weather forecasters say the worst of the storm system has passed, but saturated ground and high river levels mean flooding risks remain in some areas. The Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded most alerts but cautioned that it could take days for floodwaters to fully recede.
Preliminary assessments estimate that more than 10,000 properties have sustained some level of damage, with hundreds declared uninhabitable. Insurance companies have begun processing claims, and the Insurance Council of Australia has declared the floods a catastrophe, allowing fast-track assistance for affected policyholders.
Climate scientists are linking the severity of the floods to increasingly extreme weather patterns fueled by climate change. “These kinds of rain events are becoming more intense and more frequent,” said Dr. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate researcher at UNSW. “We’re seeing firsthand the kind of damage that a warming world can unleash.”
In response, the Albanese government has reiterated its commitment to climate adaptation and resilience planning. Federal funding will be made available not only for emergency relief but also for long-term infrastructure upgrades to help prevent future disasters.
As the water slowly recedes, communities face a long and difficult road to recovery. Volunteers, local councils, and aid organizations are rallying to help residents clean up and rebuild.
“This is a time for unity and compassion,” said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. “Australians are resilient—we will get through this together.”
Source: Reuters
