Big swells have inundated beaches along the Gold Coast in Queensland. [Source: BBC]
Wild weather is battering a 1,000km (621 miles) stretch of Australia’s east coast, bringing torrential rain and “abnormally high” tides to cities including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
More than 2,000 homes in the cities were out of power on Monday after strong winds tampered with power lines.
Tides up to 8m (26 feet) high were recorded, eroding the shoreline in some areas.
Emergency services said they had had over 700 calls for help since Sunday.
About half a dozen people stranded in floodwaters had been rescued, they added.
Meteorologists have warned that this Australian summer will see the impacts of a La Niña weather pattern, which typically brings more rainfall and tropical cyclones.
The current wild weather has hit popular holiday spots such as the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast in Queensland, and Byron Bay in New South Wales (NSW).
Many beaches were closed on Monday amid the dangerous conditions.
