Sydney hit by torrential rains as flood warnings stretch across Australia's east coast

Kelso Beach Reserve is submerged by floodwater after the Georges River burst its banks in East Hills, south-west of Sydney, Australia, March 8, 2022. AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Flood warnings stretched across Australia's east coast on Tuesday and tens of thousands of Sydney residents fled their homes overnight as torrential rains again pummelled the country's largest city, causing flash floods.

Australia's eastern rivers were already near capacity following record downpours in several parts of Queensland and New South Wales states over recent weeks, cutting off towns, and sweeping away farms, livestock and roads.