Thousand evacuated as Australia Sydney hits massive floods.

The Show Time/source The Guardian

SEVEN TOWNSHIPS AROUND HAWKESBURY RIVER REMAIN EVACUATED AS SES WARNS FLOOD WATER CAN CONTAIN SEWAGE, DEBRIS AND DEAD ANIMALS

Evacuation orders remain in place for seven north-west Sydney towns impacted by last week’s flooding as New South Wales’s cleanup effort begins in earnest.

The State Emergency Service said evacuated residents of Pitt Town North, Pitt Town Bottoms, Cornwallis, North Richmond, Agnes Banks, Gronos Point and Freemans Reach should not return until authorities give the all-clear.

“Even as flood waters recede, utilities will continue to be impacted and there will likely be extensive debris including hazardous materials and potentially unsafe roads,” the SES said in a statement on Sunday.

The SES warned flood water can contain sewage, debris and dead animals so locals must avoid entering it, playing in it or driving through it.

Evacuation orders on the NSW mid-north coast and near Moree have now lifted, with eight “all clear” return notices issued as river levels fall.

Rapid damage assessments were taking place through western and north-west Sydney in areas such as Penrith, The Hills and Hawkesbury. Some 3,500 assessments have been carried out to date.