Rains, flash floods hit Sydney; at least 2 dead

Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Flooding from severe rains in Sydney have killed at least two people, officials said Wednesday as the city deals with one of its rainiest November days in decades.

Several inches fell in just two hours Wednesday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Sydney's monthly rainfall average for November is 3.2 inches.

"For that intensity and that duration, that's the sort of rainfall you'd expect to occur about once every 100 years for that particular site," Ann Farrell, New South Wales manager of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, said.

Officials said it was Sydney's rainiest November day since 1984.

Authorities said a 14-year-old boy died in a car crash and an emergency service volunteer collapsed while on duty. A police officer broke his leg and another was injured when a tree fell on them during flash floods.

"In my 12 years here we've certainly seen some sustained poor weather, but nothing like this, we are really urging people to slow down and not drive if possible," NSW Ambulance acting superintendent Steve Vaughan said.

The stormy weather caused nearly 100 cancellations at Sydney's airport, including four international flights. The rains forced the airport to operate with just one runway.

The airport cancellations had a domino effect. Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport canceled dozens of flights to Sydney, the Melbourne Herald Sun reported.

The heavy showers also hampered Qantas, Virgin Australia, Tigerair and Jetstar flights in and out of Sydney.