NSW SES volunteers have had a busy weekend responding to flooding across the State, receiving more than 1000 calls for assistance since Friday evening.
NSW SES volunteers have spent the weekend assisting a number of flood affected communities across southern and western NSW, Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter region, Illawarra and Southern Highlands, as the predicted weather system brought more rainfall to already saturated rivers and catchments.
Since 6pm Friday 7 October 2022 our volunteers have responded to:
- Requests for assistance: 1008
- Flood Rescues: 44
Since the flood event commenced on 14 September, our volunteers have responded to:
- Requests for assistance: 3874
- Flood Rescues: 141
There are currently 104 Flood Warnings in place:
- Advice: 38
- Watch and Act: 50
- Emergency warning: 16
While flooding is widespread throughout the State, there have been significant impacts in western and southern parts of the state including Dubbo, Forbes, Wagga and Warren. Low-lying parts of the Hawkesbury have also been impacted.
Yesterday, members from NSW SES Moss Vale Unit were called to a flood rescue on Jacks Valley Road, Joadja, after a bridge flooded and a man and three children became trapped. Volunteers on the ground attended and attempted to rescue the man and children but were unable to gain suitable access to the area.
NSW SES placed a request for air assets, and with their assistance, the man and children were able to be safely rescued and extricated via helicopter.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns reinforced the threat is not over yet.
"The next few days may be deceiving for NSW communities as we see some fine weather emerge across the state," Assistant Commissioner Kearns said.
"The water that has fallen over the last month is still travelling through our river systems and as the water travels downstream we have an increased risk of flooding in those areas."
Assistant Commissioner Kearns thanked the volunteers in our inland areas who have been working around the clock for months now.
"Western NSW has been in flood for much of this year. Our volunteers give so much of their time and energy. We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers, and their families and employers, and truly appreciate what they give up to help their communities."
The Bureau of Meteorology and NSW SES continue to actively monitor current and forecasted weather conditions.
NSW SES will continue to send out alerts and door knock residents in areas of concern. The NSW SES has pre-deployed additional boats, high clearance vehicles and rotary aircraft.
NSW SES would like to remind the community that every flood is different. We continue to respond to a dynamic flood situation and recent floods have meant that conditions and environments may have changed.
To keep up to date with the latest information, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au
NSW SES Singleton Unit volunteers and community preparing sandbags Sunday 9th October.
NSW SES Gilgandra Unit deployed to assist with flood operations in Dubbo Sunday 9th October.
NSW SES Ulladulla Unit have been assisting NSW Police Force searching for Elizabeth Markovic in the Kioloa area since Sunday 9th October.
