State of emergency declared as floodwaters rise in Australian town

Almost 9,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes in Wagga Wagga, with floodwaters expected to rise to the highest level since 1844.

A STATE OF emergency has been declared in the Australian town of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales over fears that the town’s levee might break as the result of rising floodwaters.

Almost 9,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes, with riot police being sent into the town to assist and prevent looting, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Murrumbidgee River is expected to peak at 10.9 metres, which it is feared will breach Wagga Wagga’s levee. The expected peak would measure the highest since 1844, the BBC reports.

At least two people have died after days of heavy rains and flooding across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

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