Australia flood: Tens of thousands evacuate as situation worsens; See pics

Torrential rains kept battering Australia's east coast, intensifying the floods crisis in Sydney as tens of thousands were ordered to leave their homes overnight after rivers swiftly rose past danger levels. About 50,000 residents in New South Wales, the bulk in Sydney's western suburbs, have been told to either evacuate or warned that they might receive evacuation orders. The risk of flooding could remain through the week as most river catchments were already near flowing at full capacity.

Hundreds of homes have been inundated in and around Sydney in Australia in a flood emergency that has impacted over 50,000 people. Credit: Reuters Photo

Emergency response teams made 100 rescues overnight of people trapped in cars on flooded roads or in inundated homes in the Sydney area, State Emergency Service manager Ashley Sullivan said. Credit: AP Photo

Days of torrential rain have caused dams to overflow and waterways to break their banks, bringing a fourth flood emergency in 16 months to parts of the city of five million people. Credit: Reuters Photo

The New South Wales state government declared a disaster across 23 local government areas overnight, activating federal government financial assistance for flood victims. Credit: AFP Photo

Evacuation orders and warnings to prepare to abandon homes impacted 50,000 people, up from 32,000 on July 4. Credit: AFP Photo

Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke credited the skill and commitment of rescue crews for preventing any death or serious injury by the fourth day of the flooding emergency. Credit: Reuters Photo

Parts of southern Sydney had been lashed by more than 20 centimetres (nearly 8 inches) of rain in 24 hours, more than 17 per cent of the city's annual average, Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said. Credit: Reuters Photo

Severe weather warnings of heavy rain remained in place across Sydney's eastern suburbs. The warnings also extended north of Sydney along the coast and into the Hunter Valley. Credit: Reuters Photo

The worst flooding was along with the Hawkesbury-Nepean rivers system along Sydney's northern and western fringes. Credit: Reuters Photo