The ongoing flooding crisis in New South Wales (NSW) has resulted in three confirmed fatalities, with concerns growing for a missing 49-year-old man from Nymboida, south of Grafton. The state’s emergency services have conducted 177 flood rescues in the past 24 hours, as torrential rain continues to wreak havoc, prompting evacuations across multiple towns and causing extensive damage to homes.
As of now, there are 153 flood warnings in effect, including 40 at emergency level along the north coast. An additional 87 areas have been placed under “watch and act” alerts, with predictions of heavy rain moving south towards Sydney.
Local authorities are urging residents to stay indoors amid intensified rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology indicates that while conditions may begin to improve in the Mid-North Coast region, the risk of renewed flooding persists as water levels rise downstream. The State Emergency Service (SES) is prioritising the delivery of essential supplies to isolated communities, using helicopters to carry necessary equipment.
Sydney has also felt the impact of the extreme weather, with significant flash flooding reported and concerns about the Warragamba Dam, which is currently close to capacity. Flood warnings are in place for several rivers, and local residents are being advised of possible flash floods in the coming days.
The SES has reported that heavy rainfall is expected to expand southwards, affecting various regions, including the Southern Tablelands and South Coast. Motorists are warned to exercise caution, as roads can quickly become dangerous or impassable due to sudden flooding.
For the most current updates and advice regarding the floods, residents are encouraged to consult the NSW SES website.