Flooded Australians return to homes

OXLEY, Australia, May 24 (UPI) -- Thousands of Australians, evacuated from their homes after days of drenching rains, were being allowed to return Sunday as floodwaters receded, officials said.

Cleanup efforts were under way even as some communities in the northern reaches of New South Wales remained isolated, the State Emergency Service told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Officials said residents were still cut off in New South Wales' Clarence and Nambucca regions, but were set to receive food and medical supplies. One resident told the ABC that his home in a small community near Nimbin become isolated when a bridge on the only road to nearby Tuntable Falls was washed away by the rains this week.

"We've got a lady just about to have a baby anytime," Gary Moore said. "We've got some major issues in terms of food supply and transport."

SES spokesman Greg Gill told the Australian broadcaster from Oxley that emergency workers hope the situation would improve Sunday, adding that the communities of Lower Macleay Gladstone, Smithtown area Kinchella, South West Rocks and Hat Head were still cut off by floodwaters.