Officials in Australia warn residents of ‘life-threatening’ flash floods with Warragamba Dam nearing capacity

Heavy rain is continuing across Sydney with Warragamba Dam nearing capacity
Water NSW

Officials in Australia have warned of “life threatening” flash floods as record rains and widespread flooding pummels parts of the country's east coast.

It comes as hundreds of residents in New South Wales evacuate to rescue centres in areas north of the city of Sydney.

Major roads have been shut, dozens of people have been rescued from floodwaters and footage has emerged of a house being swept away.

WaterNSW has also warned that dams around Sydney could overflow over the weekend while up to four inches of rain is forecast for the city, and as much as 11 inches for west of the province.

The Bureau of Meteorology also reported that flood and extreme weather warnings stretched from Port Macquarie to areas 500 kilometres south of Sydney.

It warned that the heavy rains continuing through Saturday could “potentially” lead “to life-threatening flash flooding.”

Agata Imielska from the Bureau told the Sydney Morning Herald: “If you don’t need to travel, if you don’t need to head out today, this is the day to stay at home.”

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