Thousands have been told to evacuate Sydney amid “life-threatening” flooding

More than 30,000 residents in Sydney were told to evacuate their homes on Monday due to “life-threatening” flooding.

Why it matters: Australia is facing its fourth round of flooding in less than a year and a half, according to the Associated Press. The flooding is believed to be one of the worst bouts of extreme weather for the country’s most populous city in 18 months.

The news: A severe storm on Australia’s southeast coast has brought moisture inland, combined with rough seas and strong winds, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

• More than 1.6 feet of rain has fallen over eastern New South Wales in the past 48 hours, CNN reports.
• Officials reported at least 3 feet of rain after days of torrential downpours that overflowed dams and broke waterways, according to the AP.
• Nearly 32,000 people have been issued evacuation orders and warnings due to widespread flooding, New South Wales state Premier Dominic Perrottet told the AP.

What they say: “The latest information we have is that there is a very good chance the flooding will be worse than any of the other three floods these areas have had in the last 18 months,” the emergency management minister said situations Murray Watt, on AP.

A flood zone in a Sydney suburb. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images A flooded area in a Sydney suburb. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images A submerged road sign. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images

What we’re seeing: Sydney is bracing for more heavy rain on Monday, with the weather expected to ease on Tuesday, according to The Guardian.

The big picture: flooding in Australia has become normal.

• The country witnessed some floods during the early summer months. But now it has become commonplace, raising questions about how to support communities feeling the brunt of the storms, according to CNN.

Thought bubble via Axios’ Andrew Friedman: Heavy rainfall is a hallmark of climate change, with warming air and sea temperatures increasing the amount of atmospheric moisture available for storms. Numerous studies have shown clear links between increased global extreme precipitation and human-induced climate change.

• The fact that this is the fourth major flood in New South Wales, including Sydney, in such a short time illustrates Australia’s vulnerability to such events, as well as the challenges ahead in adapting to the new normal.

Go deeper: Extreme weather surpasses the world