Flash flooding on Australia's southeast coast has killed three people and cut off towns, isolating tens of thousands of residents, as officials on Thursday warned more downpours were expected over the next 24 hours.

Rescuers reach residents trapped by flash floods in Australia's New South Wales:: Wollongong, Australia :: Jihad Dib, New South Wales Emergency Services Minister"We've seen record level rains and flooding of the Manning River and this is having an impact on of course,

Heavy rainfall has flooded large parts of the Australian state of New South Wales. While hundreds have been rescued, thousands remain cut off from the outside world.