Flood Threat Moves North as Sydney Area Emergency Eases

In this photo provided by the State Emergency Service, surf lifesaver Lee Archer carries a baby as the child and the mother are rescued from flood waters in Bulga, Australia, Wednesday, July, 6, 2022. State Emergency Service via AP

SYDNEY—Floodwaters were receding in Sydney and its surrounding area Thursday as heavy rain threatened to inundate towns north of Australia’s largest city.

Evacuation orders and official warnings to prepare to abandon homes were given to 60,000 people by Thursday, down from 85,000 on Wednesday, New South Wales state Premier Dominic Perrottet said.