One dead, at least 10 believed missing in Australia floods

Sydney, Australia, Feb 23 (EFE).- One person has died and at least 10 people are reportedly missing after torrential rain caused flash flooding in eastern Australia, authorities said on Wednesday.

The body of a 63-year-old woman was found early Wednesday inside a submerged vehicle at Belli Park on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, police said in a statement.

At least 10 people are believed to be missing, including a 54-year-old man whose motorcycle has been found in floodwaters northwest of Noosa, according to Sunshine Coast Police Superintendent Craig Hawkins, quoted by local media.

The State Emergency Service has received more than 100 calls for help, most of them in Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie.

Near Gympie, more than 4,000 millimeters of water fell in less than 24 hours, the public broadcaster ABC said.

The authorities have closed roads and suspended trains and classes in almost a dozen schools in southern Queensland.

Given the potential overflow of rivers and water reserves due to heavy rains forecast between Wednesday and Thursday, the authorities have issued emergency alerts in areas of southern Queensland.

Heavy rains have also affected the neighboring state of New South Wales since Monday, where many streets in the capital Sydney were flooded.

Emergency services have responded to more than 800 calls for help in Sydney, where rain is expected to continue for several days, although not with the same intensity. EFE

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