MELBOURNE (AFP) – Australia reported the first fatality from days of widespread flash flooding yesterday, despite heavy rains easing and flood levels topping out across much of the southeast.
Hundreds of homeowners began a long clean-up after storm waters engulfed streets, houses and cars across three states, with Melbourne suburbs among the worst hit.
Two very wet years have left much of eastern Australia sodden, and floods now frequently follow even moderate downpours.
“It was frightening. I’ve been here for the other floods but I’ve never seen anything like that,” 61-year-old Antoinette Besalino told AFP.
The apparent flooding victim was a 71-year-old man who was “found deceased in floodwaters in the backyard” of his property in the town of Rochester, a small town north of Melbourne.
“Crews are on scene and police are attempting to get to the property, which is currently blocked off due to floodwater,” police said.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined.”
As the waters ebbed, residents were left wading through mud-caked streets, passing collapsed fences, abandoned cars, tree branches festooned with debris and, in one instance, a marooned wheely bin.
“The clean-up is going to be huge,” said 58-year-old Peter Dimauro. “Think about all of the branches and all of the garbage that has washed up.”
