Australia continues flood relief and rescue efforts as Sydney braces for heavy rains

The death toll rose to 10 after a woman believed in her 80s was found dead inside a flooded property, police said.Floodwater from the deluge, which began late last week, submerged several towns and bridges in Queensland and New South Wales, and was moving to the south with heavy rains and possible flash flooding forecast for Sydney.Hundreds of people are still stuck at their homes in the northern New South Wales city of Lismore, facing its worst floods on record, amid reports of some spending the night on rooftops. Mayor Steve Krieg told Channel Seven that nine people were still missing with 400 rescues yet to be carried out.Around 50 people were rescued after they became stuck on a bridge overnight when fast rising waters submerged both ends, authorities said.Australia’s east coast summer has been dominated by the La Nina climate pattern, which is typically associated with greater rainfall, for a second straight year. Brisbane, Australia’s third largest city, received around 80% of its annual rainfall over the last three days, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Tuesday.