Australia hit by floods for second time in weeks

STORY: They thought the worst was behind them but the northern town of Lismore in the Australian state of New South Wales has been pounded by heavy rains for a second time in a month.

And fast-moving floodwater has broken river banks and levees.

Lismore local Dominic Pezzutti said locals are preparing for the damage:

"It's just heartbreaking seeing the water come up again and the amount of people that are going to lose everything again."

Australia's east coast summer has been dominated by the La Nina climate pattern, typically associated with greater rainfall, for the second straight year.

Up the road at tourist hotspot, Byron Bay, central businesses are already underwater.

Annick Nuylle is a Byron Bay shop owner:

"Oh it's devastating. I've had this store for 17 years so I've put many years and a lot of love and hard work, so no matter if there is or there is no insurance, I think it's my livelihood and it has been my life for 17 years, so it's very sad."

The state's biggest city - Sydney - has already recorded 21.1 inches so far this month - its wettest March on record.