News

NSW SES volunteers are continuing to respond to requests for assistance from the community as a result of severe across eastern parts of the state.

In the past 24 hours there have been over 400 requests for emergency assistance, with the majority of these on Friday in Sydney due to strong winds and heavy showers. The worst affected areas were the southern and eastern suburbs of Sydney including the Central Coast. Most damage relates to leaking roofs and to damage caused by fallen trees and branches.

This morning the town of Yamba has been cut off by flooding, with 6,000 people currently isolated. 

Today the focus for the NSW SES is on finalising requests for assistance from the wind and rain that occurred on Friday, and in responding to heavy rain and strong winds in the Hunter, Mid-north Coast and the North Coast Regions of the state.

There are currently 180 teams (of 650 volunteers) of NSW SES volunteers on stand-by to assist in areas affected by the severe weather.

There have been 65 flood rescues since severe weather commenced with two this morning in the north of the state. Many of these rescues have involved people driving their vehicles into floodwater, and the NSW SES urges people to turn around and seek a safer route if floodwater is encountered.

Please ensure children do not play in floodwater as it can contain sewage, debris and dangerous currents.

For information on preparing for flooding and staying safe, visit the FloodSafe section of the NSW SES Website. 

For the latest information on river heights, rainfall and flood warnings, go to www.bom.gov.au/nsw

Flood warnings are current for the following rivers:

Bellinger River for moderate flooding at Thora and Bellingen Flood Warning Bellinger http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDN36604.html

Orara River for minor flooding at Glenreagh Flood Warning Orara 

Williams River for minor flooding at Dungog Flood Warning Williams 

Coffs Creek for minor flooding at Coffs Harbour Flood Warning Coffs Creek 

Hastings River for minor flooding at Kindee Bridge Flood Warning Hastings

A Flood Watch is current for 15 river systems. 

For emergency help call the NSW SES on 132 500 or 000 if it is a life-threatening emergency.