Australian authorities battle two natural disasters

Australian authorities on Thursday are battling two separate and devastating natural disasters on opposite sides of the country, both of which are threatening lives and property.

An out of control wildfire, or bushfire as it's known in Australia is currently burning 100 kilometers south of Perth in Western Australia state that is threatening lives and homes.

Australian authorities have told local media the fire started by a lightning strike on Tuesday morning, which after being fanned by strong winds up to 60 kilometers per hour, has so far burnt through 11,000 hectares.

Weather conditions for the area are expected to be hot and humid with temperatures reaching upwards of 39 degrees Celsius, hampering the efforts of fire-fighters.

Melissa Young from the small town of Waroona that has been under threat from the fire told Australia's national broadcaster on Thursday she did not hesitate to evacuate when told to, however other residents have stayed.

"They were just out on their balconies watching the flames and watching it go past and hoping its not going to take their house," Young told the ABC.

"The ash is coming into the backyards and into the fences and the smoke's getting really think so it was just time to get out, it's not worth it, it's not worth your life."

Meanwhile on the opposite side of Australia the New South Wales state is suffering from wild winds, heavy rains and major flooding that has trapped 20 campers following a large low pressure weather system that has smashed records.

Emergency services have been forced to suspend rescue efforts on Wednesday after the Wollombi Brook and Hunter rivers swelled, forcing evacuations at nearby Raymond Terrace, approximately 160 kilometers north of Sydney.

It is believed authorities will try to drop food and supplies to those trapped, including five children, in a remote section of a national park using boats, however rescue efforts will have to wait.

"We're not trying to get them out; there's no way we want to transport people across a flooded river," NSW State Emergency Services incident controller Ashley Sullivan said.

The region recorded its wettest January day on Wednesday since records began from a 201mm downpour.

The low pressure system is also hampering marine rescue efforts for a 60-year-old man who was swept off his yacht while returning from an offshore race after a wave struck the vessel in wild seas off the coast of Port Stephens, 200 kilometers north of Sydney.

The missing man's crew had searched for their crewman however sailed to the nearest port on the advice of rescuers, local media reported. Australia's maritime authorities so far are fielded 10 calls for assistance from the storm. Endit