A man in his 60s was found dead in a flooded home in the town of Moto, about 40 miles northeast of Sydney, on Thursday. Three more people are missing in the coastal area, according to the authorities.
We are preparing for worse news over the next 24 hours, says the state's Premier Chris Minns.
Helicopters and boats have helped evacuate stranded people from car roofs and house roofs in several affected towns. Nearly 340 rescue operations have been carried out in the last 24 hours, reports ABC.
Evacuation orders have been issued for several communities and around 5,000 rescue workers have been deployed in what the authorities classify as a natural disaster.
In some areas, more than four months' rain has fallen in just two days and further heavy rainfall is expected on Friday.
