14,200 people evacuated from New South Wales due to flooding

14,200 people have been evacuated from coastal New South Wales due to severe flooding as wild weather continues to batter the area and it has also disrupted the world's largest coal-export harbor located in the region.

5,000 people fled from Lismore after 200 millimeters of rain fell in just 33 hours, and another 9,200 were evacuated from Grafton and the surrounding area, and the flood waters are only expected to rise due to the continuing rain.

The port at Newcastle has restricted ship arrivals and departures, leaving about 32 ships waiting outside the harbour.

Parts of New South Wales have been declared disaster zones, which means that residents can have access to emergency assistance and temporary accommodation.
The government has given A $130,000 for flood assistance to businesses and farmers, A $25,000 for non-profit and A $15,000 for stock and feed.

The weather has caused not only flooding, but man has died, and falling trees have cut power to about 30,000 homes and businesses.

This is considered the worst flooding in this area since 1974.

Parts of Australia have already suffered a lot this year from wildfires and other severe weather problems.