Australia's New South Wales state declared a natural disaster in two flood-affected areas today and said almost 1,000 residents had been told to evacuate their homes.
Days of heavy rains in outback New South Wales over New Year have swollen rivers and left hundreds of rural properties cut off by floodwaters.
An evacuation centre has been set up in Coonamble, about 500 kilometres northwest of Sydney, premier Kristina Keneally said in an e-mailed statement.
Residents, farmers and local businesses affected by the floods will be given financial assistance, according to the statement.
The Castlereagh River in Coonamble reached a flood level of more than 5 metres (16.4 feet) today, threatening the town's levee, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Agencies