People flee to rooftops as 'weather bomb' submerges Australian towns

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate as heavy rains smashed Australia's east coast on Monday, submerging towns and stranding residents on rooftops, with authorities warning of life-threatening flash floods.

Nine people have been killed since the deluge began last Thursday, and rescue teams were searching on Monday for at least four people reported missing.