In a tragic turn of events, two individuals have lost their lives, and two others remain unaccounted for following significant flooding in New South Wales (NSW). The severe weather has prompted evacuation warnings for over 50,000 residents in the affected areas.
The recent deluge, officially classified as a natural disaster, has been attributed to a sluggish low-pressure system. For many residents, this rainfall surpasses any they have experienced in their lifetime, as noted by the Commissioner of the State Emergency Services.
Over 2,000 emergency service personnel are engaged in rescue operations, including efforts to save individuals who were trapped on rooftops throughout the night.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has issued a stark warning, stating that the region is “far from out of the woods.” He emphasized the importance of residents staying vigilant and closely monitoring emergency broadcasts as forecasts predict additional heavy rainfall in the days ahead.
Authorities are conducting separate searches for individuals reported missing on the Mid-North Coast. A woman has been reported missing after her vehicle became ensnared in floodwaters. A man has been reported missing after he walked near a flooded road and did not return home.
Over 100 schools have shut down due to the floods, resulting in thousands of homes and businesses being left without power. Authorities have established evacuation centers to assist individuals escaping the flooding crisis.
Authorities in New South Wales report that a total of 22 individuals have been airlifted to safety, with 18 of them being winched from inundated residences and roadways, while four others were retrieved from a bridge. In a recent rescue operation, four dogs and one cat were saved alongside their owners.
Taree, located on the Mid-North Coast, has emerged as one of the most severely impacted areas. On Wednesday, the water level at a significant river in the region exceeded 6.3 meters (20.6 feet), shattering a nearly century-old record for its peak height.
On Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed the recovery of a body belonging to a 63-year-old man at a property in Moto, located near Taree. An ABC News report later identified the fatality as David Knowles. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the recent incident, according to local police officials.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased in a post on X, describing the loss as “devastating”.
On Thursday morning, authorities discovered the body of a man in his 30s in floodwaters close to Rosewood on the Mid North Coast. Earlier reports indicated that a man became trapped in floodwaters while navigating his vehicle in the vicinity.
Forecasts indicate that by Friday, certain regions may experience an additional 300mm (12 inches) of rainfall.
Almost 10,000 residences face the threat of flooding along the Mid-North Coast of the state.
“We are preparing for additional troubling developments,” Minns informed reporters during a press conference.
“According to Minns, securing supplies for certain isolated communities poses significant challenges. He noted that the prime minister has committed to providing any necessary assistance from the federal government.”
Minns has called on residents in areas designated as “prepare to evacuate” to leave if possible while recognizing that some individuals may not have the means to do so.
“Some individuals may be elderly, others could be infirm, and there are those who might have young children.” “If we can successfully evacuate the majority of individuals from danger, it significantly simplifies the tasks at hand for everyone involved.”
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) reported that it had conducted over 300 flood rescues within 24 hours leading up to 05:00 local time (20:00 BST), with the total number of rescues exceeding 500 since the onset of the flooding.
“Continual rainfall and rapidly flowing rivers have created significant challenges in accessing isolated communities, particularly due to flooded roads,” stated NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone.
He stated, “Although numerous rescues were carried out overnight, requests for assistance are still coming in. The New South Wales SES, along with our partner agencies, are deploying helicopter resources, boats, and high clearance vehicles as conditions permit.”
Jihad Dib, the New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, stated that the state government is committed to utilizing all available resources in the ongoing rescue operations.
“These are not the records anyone hopes to achieve, yet we are witnessing unprecedented levels of rainfall and flooding across the mid and northern coasts,” he stated.
