US EditionEvacuations, Woman Killed as Storms Hammer Eastern Australia
Over 2,100 emergency incidents and 25 flood rescues were reported by NSW State Emergency Service volunteers during a weekend storm causing floods, landslides, and power outages.
- On January 17, 2026, severe storms across eastern Australia prompted evacuations and 24 rescues, with authorities reporting a fatality after a tree branch fell on a woman's car.
- A band of thunderstorms dumped heavy rain across coastal areas, producing intense downpours with some communities receiving up to 200mm in hours.
- By 10am Sunday, crews had responded to over 2100 incidents, mostly in Sydney, and at least 1000 SES volunteers remained active, while Queensland reported about 11,000 power outages, with over 2000 still out in Laidley and Brightview.
- An emergency warning ordered evacuations around Narrabeen Lagoon, with NSW RFS assisting NSW SES, and Ms Barton said clean-up would continue over the next 24 to 48 hours.
- At Great Mackerel Beach a landslide damaged numerous homes and injured at least one person, floodwaters at Narrabeen will take days to recede, and warnings remain for hazardous surf from Newcastle to Batemans Bay and the Eden coast as more heavy rain is forecast.
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Australian National Review - Dozens Rescued as Deadly Storms Trigger Evacuations
General view of rain flooded field leading to the game being being postponed during the round 13 A-League Men match between Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC at Polytec Stadium, in Gosford, Australia, on Jan.17, 2026. Scott Gardiner/Getty Images One person has been killed and dozens rescued from floodwaters as wild weather batters Australia’s east coast, forcing evacuations. Residents on parts of Sydney’s northern beaches were told to lea…
Deadly storms force evacuations as floods hit east coast
One person is dead after summer storms smashed Australia’s east coast, forcing evacuations amid warnings of more rain to come. An emergency warning was in place for Sydney’s northern beaches on Sunday morning, with residents at Narrabeen Lagoon and surrounds told to leave. The evacuation was ordered the previous night as the dangers escalated quickly with rapidly rising floodwaters impacting properties, forcing locals and holiday makers to get t…
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