Major flood warnings have been issued across north-western Tasmania and New South Wales, following a high-pressure system to the state's east that, combined with a trough over eastern Australia, resulted in torrential rainfall. Four people have died and three are still missing due to the powerful storms, Reuters reported.
Waves reaching a staggering height of five metres (17.5 feet) have crashed along the east coast, causing serious damage to people's homes and have forced residents to flee.
Volunteers help rescue the surviving cows and bulls that were washed down river after the Mersey River flooded in Devonport, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty Images
Rescue operations are underway for those caught in the flooded waters. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that in Tasmania, police rescued a woman who was caught in rising flood waters, yet her companion was not found. In Devonport, northwestern Tasmania, cows were washed down the Mersey River after it overflowed, resulting in people having to pull out the cows from the harsh currents. Areas of Latrobe, located along the Mersey River, have been seriously affected. A flood watch is in place for all Tasmanian river basins after parts of the state received rainfall in excess of 20cm.
In Sydney, a huge wave hit the eastern wall of the Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club on the evening of 5 June, tearing a hole in the wall and smashing windows. Clean up efforts are underway across Sydney, which was also affected heavily by the rainfall, following storms across New South Wales that brought torrential rain and flooding over the weekend.
A view of the damage inside the Coogee SLSC in Sydney, AustraliaBrendon Thorne/Getty ImagesGym equipment is laid to waste inside the flooded Coogee SLSC in Sydney, AustraliaBrendon Thorne/Getty ImagesCoogee SLSC volunteer Julien Vincent poses amongst the damaged Coogee SLSCin Sydney, AustraliaBrendon Thorne/Getty ImagesBoat owners have to clear mud, rocks and water from the wreckages after being washed ashore along the beaches in Devonport, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesNSW Rural Fire Service workers, Surf Lifesavers, Northern Beaches Council workers and local residents take part in a sand-bagging operation to protect properties at Collaroy Beach in Sydney, AustraliCameron Spencer/ Getty ImagesA cow is rescued after being washed downstream when the Mersey River flooded in Devonport, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesKoby Abberton of Australia competes during the Red Bull Cape Fear surfing event at Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Sydney, AustraliaMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesA stand up paddle boarder explores the flooded Bells Parade area after the Mersey River broke its banks in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull suspended his election campaign in order to visit areas of the country that have been hit by the storm. Turnbull was due to visit the southern state of Tasmania on 6 June, but changed his plans as the island state grapples widespread flooding.
"Bill Shorten and I were in touch yesterday about the response to the disaster and of course we are absolutely united in thanking and supporting the communities that have been affected by these shocking storms," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.
SES workers on the job assisting in clean up operations after the Mersey River floods in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesBoat owners salvage what they can from the wreckages after being washed ashore along the beaches In Devonport, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesLaurie Towner of Australia wipes out as he competes during the Red Bull Cape Fear surfing event at Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Sydney, AustraliaMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesJay 'Rooster' Adams of Australia wipes out as he competes during the Red Bull Cape Fear surfing event at Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Sydney, AustraliaMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesSandbags sit in front of Latrobe shopfronts after the Mersey River flood in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesResidents emerge from affected homes after being flooded out by the Mersey River in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesResidents pile up damaged items from their homes after the Mersey River flood in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesWhite picket fences collapsed during the Mersey River flood in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesMuddy floors are all that remains of one home after being flooded out by the Mersey River in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesResidents begin cleaning up through a sludge of mud in their homes after being flooded out by the Mersey River in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/ Getty ImagesHigh water line is well marked with debris after the Mersey River flood in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesEarthmoving machinery is used to clean up Coogee Beach in Sydney, AustraliaBrendon Thorne/ Getty ImagesTrack marks from earthmoving machinery is seen on Coogee Beach in Sydney, AustraliaBrendon Thorne/ Getty ImagesFlooded shopfronts in the main street after the Mersey River flood in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/ Getty ImagesA soiled doll is washed up in a family home hit by the flood of the Mersey River in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/ Getty ImagesA girl's bedroom is ruined after being flooded out by the Mersey River in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesMud has ruined a family home's kitchen that has been flooded out by the Mersey River in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty ImagesResidents begin cleaning up and assessing the damage to homes after being flooded out by the Mersey River in Latrobe, AustraliaHeath Holden/Getty Images
