Prolonged heavy rainfall is set to continue throughout Thursday, as Mid North Coast communities remain on high alert for moderate and major flooding and NSW State Emergency Service (SES) members continue to respond to rescues.
Flash flooding will again remain a significant risk today for communities between Kempsey, Coffs Harbour and Nambucca.
Widespread 24-hour rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are forecast, but higher localised totals of between 200 and 300 mm are expected. Locations which may be affected include Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo.
In the last 24 hours NSW SES have responded to 1023 incidents, including 339 flood rescues.
NSW SES State Duty Commander, Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said conditions overnight have been challenging, with many rescues still to attend to in Taree, Glenthorne, Oxley Island and Moto.
“We’ve seen continual rainfall and very fast flowing rivers, which when combined with flooded roads have made it very difficult to access some isolated people,” Assistant Commissioner Malone said.
“Our crews have been working through the night to complete flood rescues, but our message to people still awaiting rescue, is to remain in safe locations, away from flood waters in dry locations if possible.
“While dozens of rescues have been completed overnight, they continue to be received, and the NSW SES and our partner agencies have helicopter resources, boats and high clearance vehicles responding when it is safe to do so.”
An estimated 50,000 people have been warned to prepare for isolations, as widespread areas of rain, with locally intense falls, have led to new evacuation warnings across much of the region.
At Kempsey CBD, floodwater on the Macleay River has overtopped the levee and is still rising. NSW SES is coordinating a multi-agency response on the ground to help people move to evacuation centres, including several hotels.
Major flooding is expected to continue to impact Settlement Point, Macksville and Port Macquarie today.
While the focus for the NSW SES remains on the Mid North Coast and Hunter, minor flooding is also occurring in the state’s west along the Warrego and Darling Rivers. A flood warning has also been issued for the upper Nepean, Hawkesbury and Colo Rivers for potential minor flooding from Thursday evening.
To stay up to date with the latest warnings and advice, download the Hazards Near Me app. For evacuation centre locations and more information, visit the NSW SES website.
Visit the Live Traffic NSW website for the latest road closures and traffic conditions.
If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000).
Operational statistics (to 5am)
Total incidents during this event: 4,187
Total flood rescues during this event: 501
Incidents in the last 24 hours:1023
Flood rescues in last 24 hours: 339