The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is continuing with resupply and damage assessment efforts, as community volunteers embed with emergency service teams to assist with clean-up operations.
More than 5,000 damage assessments have been completed already, and resupply efforts continue to ensure the more than 12,000 people isolated have critical supplies.
There are more than 3,500 people from NSW Government agencies on the ground today.
This includes 2,220 SES volunteers, dedicated damage assessments teams and our valued interagency teams who are assisting with recovery efforts.
There are currently 69 warnings in place, with the NSW SES continuing to move through the process of de-escalating warnings in affected communities and giving people the all-clear to return home.
A helicopter dropped grocery items to Crescent Head this morning to restock items in the local supermarket, and a high clearance vehicle has delivered food and medical supplied to residents throughout the Hunter region.
To assist with clean-up and wash out requests, the NSW SES has mobilised community volunteers to work through tasks in an efficient and effective way.
About 150 community volunteers joined the MidCoast Community Flood Response group on Monday morning to support flood impacted communities throughout Taree, Wingham and surrounds.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin said the community group provided a surge in working hands to speed up recovery.
“Just as our volunteers have risen to the significant challenges of this flood event, our partnership with the community for a process of safe clean-up is absolutely essential,” Deputy Commissioner Austin said.
“Partnering with the community means that we can help ensure that safe and co-ordinated approach.
“A safe and effective clean-up for our flood-affected communities is key, not just for their immediate support, but also for their long-term resilience. We are proud to be working collaboratively with these passionate and committed community volunteers to help achieve this.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said community working for community was an important piece of the emergency management puzzle.
“Locally led groups assisting in clean-up operations like this will ensure communities are resilient into the future and can support each other in the long-term recovery,” Minister Dib said.
“The response to these floods has been led by our SES volunteers, but all of our emergency service personnel have been assisting in partnership with communities. I have seen people coming together to assist their neighbours and now as we work through the clean-up I know they will continue to lend a hand.”
“This has been a significant flooding event, impacting a large number of homeowners and businesses, so having the community chip in to assist will ensure people can get back on their feet as soon as possible.”
Volunteers who want to get involved can meet to register at 10am on Tuesday 27 May at 14 Arkwright Crescent, Taree, or visit www.communityfloodresponse.com
The NSW SES has now responded to 7,713 incidents during this event, 794 of those are flood rescues.