Sydney reels under torrential downpours

Chaos on the roads had fire and rescue teams answering 18 road accidents in the seven hours to midday. There were delays on nine of Sydney's 16 main railway lines, while flights from Sydney Airport were delayed or cancelled. Two northbound lanes on the main deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were closed for emergency repairs. In Sydney's south-west, about 20 people were evacuated from a retirement village at Austral. The SES said there had been more than 700 call for help.