May 23 (Bloomberg) -- Australian authorities issued evacuation orders for 16,000 people, rescued more than 100 and two were reported dead in coastal New South Wales as storms brought more flooding to parts of the eastern state and the world’s largest coal-export harbor.

The State Emergency Service asked residents and businesses to leave Kempsey and surrounding townships as heavy rains were expected to cause the Macleay River to exceed its major flood level. About 2,000 people are subject to flooding in the area, with water levels of up to two meters (six feet) expected in the Kempsey central business district, Steve Delaney, an SES spokesman, said over the telephone.

“The peak is gradually going through Kempsey at the moment,” Delaney said. “It’s still very rough and windy and the rain will continue for another 12 to 24 hours before it starts to ease off.”

Kempsey began to flood after the north and south levees of the central business district were breached, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The Macleay River is still rising and is expected to peak at Kemspey around midnight, it said.

The body of a 70-year-old man was found south of Coffs Harbor, the AFP reported, taking the flood’s death toll to two.

Floods also threatened South East Queensland, with residents in low-lying areas including the Sunshine Coast asked to sandbag their homes as high tides threaten, the ABC reported separately. High tide is expected at 7:30 p.m. on the Sunshine Coast and later in Brisbane, it said.

The New South Wales government extended the parts of New South Wales that it considers to be disaster zones, which enables residents to access emergency assistance for lost property, personal hardship and temporary accommodations.

Newcastle Port continued to report restricted ship arrivals and departures, though conditions were improving, spokesman Keith Powell said by telephone today. There had been five ship movements, with another four scheduled for the rest of the day, he said.

Rio Tinto Group, Xstrata Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. are among mining companies that ship coal through Newcastle.

The government is “working with local authorities on what needs to be done in terms of response to that extraordinary downpour and the damage which has resulted from it,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters in Sydney today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Candice Zachariahs in Sydney at czachariahs2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: May 23, 2009 03:08 EDT