Eastern Australia hit by floods

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Torrential rain flooded several towns

Several towns on the east coast of Australia have been declared disaster zones, after flash floods left thousands of people stranded.

More than 2,000 people were cut off in towns along the Bellinger river, after 45cm (18in) of rain fell in 24 hours.

Many residents in the Coffs Harbour area spent the night house-bound or trapped in schools and restaurants.

"What I saw last night was absolutely incredible," mayor Keith Rhoades told ABC radio. "It's just heartbreaking."

He estimated the cost of repairs in the "tens of millions of dollars".

There have been no reports of serious injuries, but more than 100 people needed to be rescued by ambulance crews, including a man trapped on the roof of his car.

Sydney beaches closed

New South Wales state emergency services director Murray Kear toured the flood-affected region on Wednesday and declared the area a natural disaster zone.

He said the floods made such an impact because the water levels rose so quickly that many people were taken by surprise.

There was also heavy rainfall in Sydney, with the city experiencing its wettest 24-hour period so far this year.

Most major beaches were closed to the general public, amid fears over the dangerous waves, but in those that were open surfers took advantage of the massive swell.

The worst of the rains have now passed, according to the local weather bureau, but there may be further flooding in some areas.

Severe weather has affected many parts of Australia in recent months.

There have already been floods in the north, while in the south conditions have been extremely dry, contributing to the severity of the recent bushfires in Victoria which claimed more than 170 lives.