Australia starts flood cleanup after five deaths, thousands of properties damaged

We will continue to resupply those isolated residents by land, water and air as part of our multi-agency response,

SES Chief Superintendent Paul McQueen said

We would have had hundreds of deaths if it wasn't for the bravery, the courage of emergency service workers in the last 72 hours,

he told journalists

We’re continuing to work closely across federal, state and local governments to make sure Australians get the support they need now and through recovery,

Albanese said on social media platform X

All of our thoughts are with his loved ones and the community at this time,

Albanese said in a statement

Early estimates indicate at least 10,000 properties may have been damaged following record flooding,

the agency said in a statement

We ask you to be patient, remain in a safe location and please don't be tempted to drive through flood waters or go sightseeing,

Mr McQueen said

We know this is a mammoth task ahead of us. We want to particularly acknowledge the enormous courage the local community has had to exhibit in the last few days,

Minns said

Now we’re through the worst of the weather, and floodwaters are receding, we want people to be safe during the clean-up phase, and we’re seeing resilient communities doing just that,

Minns said

Our hardworking team has been out in tough conditions, moving animals to safety and getting food to where it's needed most,

the Aussie Ark sanctuary said in a statement

I reiterate this is still a dangerous situation where significant impacts to infrastructure and properties are likely to have occurred,

he said

It is a challenge that we need to deal with and be conscious of, and we certainly are. And that’s why we’re engaged directly not just with the Insurance Council … but also individual insurance companies,

he said

It’s no longer just a case that we have a workforce over the summer holiday period when we usually have these events,

he said

If you are under evacuation warnings, please be patient, do not return home until you’re informed it is safe to do so, stay up to date with the latest information, and stay in safe locations,

he said

Emotions were high as we were rescuing a lot of people who are distraught when we get to them,

rescue worker Jason Harvey told AFP on Friday, describing "frantic" efforts over recent days

People feel they're isolated, so that's where the whole community spirit is so pivotal,

she said

Damien Johnsonemergency services deputy commissioner

Floodwaters have contaminants, there can be vermin, snakes … so you need to assess those risks. Electricity can also pose a danger as well,

said Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston

What once were rare downpours are now becoming the new normal – climate change is rewriting Australia’s weather patterns, one flood at a time,

said Davide Faranda, a climate researcher at ClimaMeter, in comments carried by the Reuters news agency

We’ve woken up to blue skies which is a great thing,

Allan said

Without the volunteers, we would have had hundreds of deaths and we’re in deep, deep gratitude to those people who volunteered their time,

Minns added

It’s an amazing, heroic logistical effort where, in very difficult circumstances, many volunteers put themselves in harm’s way to rescue a complete stranger. And over the coming days and weeks, we will hear scores of stories of locals being plucked out of impossible, desperate situations,

Minns told reporters in Maitland in the flood area