Flooding has forced at least 18,000 families to evacuate their homes in New South Wales, Australia, as heavy rains caused some of the worst flooding in the state in decades.

Photos show neighborhoods inundated with flooding to the height of street signs and locals rowing to safety as the water climbs.

The flooding has caused damage to homes and businesses and washed out bridges and roads. ABC News Australia reported that a couple's rental home in Mondrook was washed away on their wedding day on Saturday. The couple was not home at the time, and are uninjured.

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Emergency services received more than 8,000 calls for help since the flooding began. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Insurance Council of Australia declared an insurance catastrophe after more than 5,000 claims were lodged over the weekend due to the flooding.

(MORE: Evacuations Expand as Devastating Flooding Continues)

Dozens of communities have been officially deemed disaster areas. Click through the slideshow above to see photos of the devastation.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.