Emergency service teams from across Australia are coming together to assist with the aftermath of severe flooding in New South Wales. The floods have caused widespread destruction, leaving around 32,000 residents cut off from normal access to their homes and communities.
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) has announced that nearly 200 additional personnel will be deployed to help with critical tasks such as water rescues and assessing storm and flood damage. The situation remains serious, as floodwaters are slowly receding but many areas are still affected.
So far, officials have assessed damage to approximately 10,000 properties, with 480 assessments completed. Many homes have been severely damaged and are no longer safe to live in. NSW SES Acting Assistant Commissioner Allison Flaxman noted that building inundation has been reported in various locations, highlighting the scale of the destruction.
The flooding, which has claimed five lives and devastated livestock, was triggered by heavy rains in a region about 300 kilometers north of Sydney. Emergency services have even used drones to deliver essential medicines to isolated cancer patients in the Mid North Coast area.
While the heavy rains have eased, the Bureau of Meteorology warns that challenging weather conditions are expected in the coming days, including high winds and large ocean swells. This could lead to more flooding in low-lying coastal areas during high tide.
Six emergency warnings remain active in northern New South Wales, and residents are being advised to avoid floodwaters. In the past 24 hours, emergency personnel have conducted 16 rescues, underscoring the ongoing dangers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to visit Taree, one of the hardest-hit towns, soon. His visit was delayed last week due to the area being inaccessible because of the floods.
Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, emphasized the need for better flood defenses, noting that many communities are repeatedly impacted by floods. He called for discussions about resilience and preparedness during both dry and wet periods.
As recovery efforts continue, the focus remains on helping those affected and rebuilding their lives in the face of this natural disaster.