Australian boy, 3, drowns in stormwater drain

A young boy has drowned in a stormwater drain in northern New South Wales.

The three-year-old went missing close to his home in Gwydir Street, Bingara about 12.30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, police said.

Emergency services were contacted and the boy was found in a nearby stormwater drain about 1pm and pronounced dead a short time later.

The region has been affected by significant flooding over the past 24 hours, with ten people rescued after becoming trapped in cars.

Up to 450 people in rural properties around Moree and southwest of Coffs Harbour have been cut off by floodwaters.

Police urged people not to drive, ride or walk through floodwater.

- AAP