The heaviest rainfall has hit Australia's New South Wales province in almost 20 years. Officials have issued severe weather and flash flood warnings for coastal areas of the eastern state. The heavy rains are expected to continue until next week, helping extinguish the more than 35 active fires in the area. Officials have warned the public to be vigilant, and have launched flood rescue operations. After months of destructive wildfires, Australia has been hit in recent weeks by heavy downpours, hail storms and heatwaves.