NSW State Emergency Service (SES) crews are supporting clean-up operations as severe weather conditions ease across the state.
Since Sunday, heavy rainfall and damaging winds have impacted coastal areas from the Mid North Coast through to the Far South Coast, with the NSW SES and emergency service partners responding to more than 4,000 incidents.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz APM said the focus today has been on clean up and damage assessments, particularly along the NSW South Coast.
“Our volunteers and emergency service partners have been kept incredibly busy responding to a large number of fallen trees, downed powerlines, damaged properties and vehicles, as well as flood-related tasks,” Deputy Commissioner Platz said.
“Overnight we’ve seen the easing of weather conditions, which has led to all emergency warnings being downgraded, including at the Central Coast, Burrill Lake and Lake Conjola.”
Despite the easing conditions, Deputy Commissioner Platz warned there may still be hazards about in impacted areas.
“We’ve seen a huge number of trees and powerlines come down during this event, and there has been damage to property,” she said.
“We ask the community to remain vigilant and take care in storm impacted areas.
“As conditions continue to improve, crews are undertaking damage assessments and helping people back on their feet.
“The information gathered in these damage assessments ensures we are keeping communities safe, while providing intelligence on what river systems and catchments may do in future events.”
More than 2,000 NSW SES volunteers and emergency service partners have been involved in the response. Three storm teams have also deployed from the ACT SES to assist impacted communities.
OPERATIONAL STATISTICS
Calls to State Operations Centre: 6,135
Statewide incidents: 4,065
Flood rescues: 10
In the 24 hours to 1430 Thursday 3 July: 478
By zone -
South Eastern Zone: 149
Metro Zone: 146
Northern Zone: 137
Western Zone: 3
North Eastern Zone: 37
North Western Zone: 3
Southern Zone: 1
State Units: 2