Three dead in Australia after torrential rain ravages rural towns

A drone view shows a flooded area following heavy rains, in Tinonee, New South Wales, Australia May 21, 2025. Harrison Reed/Handout via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Flash flooding on Australia's southeast coast has killed three people and cut off towns, isolating tens of thousands of residents, as officials on Thursday warned more downpours were expected over the next 24 hours.

Major flooding hit several rural towns in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, with most of the Mid North Coast region facing further heavy rainfall through Thursday.