SYDNEY, March 29, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Thousands of people across eastern
Australia have been told to leave their homes as storms bear down on cities
and towns still recovering from record deadly flooding just weeks ago.

  Multiple evacuation orders were issued for the town of Lismore, which was
devastated last month when record-high 14.3-metre (47 feet) floodwaters
engulfed homes, swept away cars and stranded locals on the roofs of their
homes.

  Hundreds of people had to be dramatically rescued -- many by neighbours who
braved the floodwaters in private boats and even kayaks -- because emergency
services were overwhelmed by calls for help.

  Seeking to avoid a repeat of this disaster, state emergency services said
"additional people, vehicles, boats and helicopters" had been deployed ahead
of forecast storms and "life-threatening" flash flooding on Tuesday.

  Lismore locals spent much of Monday preparing for intense rainfall --
sandbagging properties and moving to higher ground, with flood levels
expected to reach close to the town's levee height by Tuesday afternoon.

  A flood relief centre in the town set up by Australia's national Indigenous
newspaper The Koori Mail had to be evacuated.

  February's flooding claimed at least 21 lives across the states of
Queensland and New South Wales and displaced thousands of people, many of
whom are living in temporary accommodation in areas where heavy rains are
expected this week.

  "Since catchments are now saturated, there will be an increased risk of
dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and even landslides during this
event," the national weather bureau said in a warning Monday.

  In the state of Queensland, a man was found dead in his car in floodwaters
on Monday, along with several dogs, despite police rescue attempts. A woman
who was in the vehicle survived and was taken to hospital to recover.