Broken Hill and areas of the Mid North Coast were hit by dangerous flash flooding with more than 1640 people either cut off or predicted to be isolated in the coming days.
The NSW SES saved multiple drivers and passengers from their flooded cars, including two near Wauchope on Friday and another in Parkes today.
Unpredictable, bad weather smashed the Mid North Coast, flooding roads and bridges and saturating already full rivers and creeks. Homes and roads were flooded in Broken Hill with reports of leaking and damaging roofs as well.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning today for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding for Armidale, Orange, Tamworth, Moree, Dubbo, Griffith, Hay, Cobar, Bourke, Broken Hill, Wentworth and Lightning Ridge.
Stay safe! The NSW State Emergency Service is advising:
- If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top
- If you live in a low-lying area and are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so
- Secure outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you
- Consider the impact of possible road closures and flood isolation on (health and safety), work, family and educational commitments
- Avoid drowning, stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place
- Avoid being swept away, stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains
- Never drive, ride or walk through floodwaters - if it's flooded forget it.
- Floodwater can contain chemicals, debris, dead animals and even sewerage.
- If you're coming back from holidays, please take it easy on the roads and think before your drive anywhere, keep up to date at livetraffic.com
