Australia state swings from bush fires to flash flooding in 24 hours

FILE PHOTO: New South Wales Rural Fire Service firefighter Elisabeth Goh monitors a hazard reduction burn in Sydney, Australia, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Cordelia Hsu/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Less than 24 hours since residents in parts of Australia's Victoria state fled bush fires, state authorities are now warning of flooding as heavy rain douses flames and lifts rivers in the southeastern state.

Flash flooding is expected through Wednesday afternoon in northeastern Victoria, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, as rain drenched parts of the state where as recently as yesterday, around 17,000 hectares were ablaze.