This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6736687.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Australia storm death toll rises Australia storm death toll rises
(about 1 hour later)
At least five people have been killed by heavy storms that are continuing to lash eastern Australia, officials say.At least five people have been killed by heavy storms that are continuing to lash eastern Australia, officials say.
Gale-force winds and rising flood waters have forced the evacuation of hundreds of people in New South Wales.Gale-force winds and rising flood waters have forced the evacuation of hundreds of people in New South Wales.
More than 200,000 homes remain without electricity in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions, and in Sydney.More than 200,000 homes remain without electricity in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions, and in Sydney.
Some 12 ships have run aground in huge seas, and there are fears that one of the vessels - a coal freighter - may break up and spill its fuel.Some 12 ships have run aground in huge seas, and there are fears that one of the vessels - a coal freighter - may break up and spill its fuel.
Police put the confirmed death toll at five, after the bodies of a man and two children were found.Police put the confirmed death toll at five, after the bodies of a man and two children were found.
They are believed to be members of a family whose car was swept away after part of the Old Pacific Highway collapsed on Friday - when the storms began.They are believed to be members of a family whose car was swept away after part of the Old Pacific Highway collapsed on Friday - when the storms began.
Police said earlier they had found the bodies of a couple in their 50s whose car was washed off a bridge.Police said earlier they had found the bodies of a couple in their 50s whose car was washed off a bridge.
There are fears that that the death toll will rise further, as at least three other people are still missing.There are fears that that the death toll will rise further, as at least three other people are still missing.
Hundreds of people were evacuated, including 65 elderly residents at a Central Coast nursing home, as flood waters continued to rise.Hundreds of people were evacuated, including 65 elderly residents at a Central Coast nursing home, as flood waters continued to rise.
Power utility EnergyAustralia said more than 200,000 homes and businesses had no electricity, warning that they could remain blacked out until next week.Power utility EnergyAustralia said more than 200,000 homes and businesses had no electricity, warning that they could remain blacked out until next week.
"This is the worst storm and the worst damage our electricity network has seen for more than 30 years," EnergyAustralia executive general manager Geoff Lilliss was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper."This is the worst storm and the worst damage our electricity network has seen for more than 30 years," EnergyAustralia executive general manager Geoff Lilliss was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
Tanker fearsTanker fears
On Friday, massive seas pushed the Pasha Bulker coal freighter onto a sand bank off Newcastle.On Friday, massive seas pushed the Pasha Bulker coal freighter onto a sand bank off Newcastle.
Your pictures: Beached freighterYour pictures: Beached freighter
Environmentalists have said they fear that if the 40,000-tonne vessel broke up, it could spill its fuel, causing a maritime disaster.Environmentalists have said they fear that if the 40,000-tonne vessel broke up, it could spill its fuel, causing a maritime disaster.
Plans for tugs to pull the ship out to sea were abandoned because of the rough conditions.Plans for tugs to pull the ship out to sea were abandoned because of the rough conditions.
The tanker's 21 crewmen, all thought to be from the Philippines, were winched to safety and were reported to be in good health. The tanker's 21 crewmen, all thought to be from the Philippines, were winched to safety and were reported to be in good health.
Are
you affected by the storms? Send us your comments using the form below name="say">
method="post" action="http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/cgiemail/newstalk/form_all.txt"> name="email_subject" type="hidden" value="Australia 6736687"> name="mailto" type="hidden" value="talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk"> name="success" type="hidden" value="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/have_your_say/html/have_your_say_thanks.stm"> Name: