Man dies after car becomes trapped in Sydney floodwaters
A 25-year-old man has died after being trapped in his car in floodwaters in Sydney's northwest.
At about 6.25am on Wednesday, emergency services were called to Cattai Ridge Road, near Hidden Valley Lane, at Glenorie, after reports of a vehicle being trapped in the floodwaters.
At about 1pm, the vehicle was located and a man's body was found inside.
The only details the police have provided about the man is that he is a Pakistani national, who was on his way to start a new job.
NSW Police Detective Inspector Chris Laird revealed new details about the man's final moments in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, saying he was on the phone to the Triple-0 operator for half an hour before his death.
Premier expresses condolences for man after flood death
Premier Gladys Berejiklian expressed her condolences to the man's family during parliamentary question time.
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"We extend our heartfelt condolences to all the loved ones of that person and obviously I will allow the state emergency services to further outline those details," Ms Berejiklian said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also addressed the death during question time today, saying police will soon be notifying the man's family.
"We have seen so much over the course of the past year and more as this country has battled so many things – floods, fires, viruses, drought and now these floods again," he said.
"And now this family will get this news and they will grieve."
Queensland records first flood-related death
A 38-year-old father from the Gold Coast hinterlands has been confirmed dead, marking the state's first flood-related fatality.
Swift water rescue crews found David Hornman's submerged ute in the flooded Canungra Creek on Wednesday. When they secured the vehicle they found his body inside.
The dad was last seen on Monday morning.
His desperate wife has been active on social media since then, appealing for help from anyone who saw him.
Flood risks likely to linger
Though the rain eased on Wednesday and the Bureau of Meteorology isn't forecasting any major rain for at least a week, NSW rivers will remain swollen into the weekend.
The break in the weather paved the way for defence personnel and emergency service workers to get essential supplies to isolated communities, particularly North Richmond in Sydney's northwest where floodwaters continue to rise.
It will also enable the extensive clean-up process to gradually begin.
On Wednesday, Ms Berejiklian said even though the sun was out, the state remains in the grip of the devastating crisis, with rivers still rising and it will take days for floodwaters to recede.
She said the damage inflicted on thousands of homes, businesses and infrastructure means "life won't be normal for a lot of people for a long time".
"We're certainly not out of the woods," Ms Berejiklian told reporters earlier on Wednesday.
With AAP
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