Emergency services urge NSW is not out of flood ‘danger’
Emergency services are warning there is at least another day of heavy rain to come as tens of thousands of people face evacuation orders or emergency alerts because of heavy flooding.
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Parts of NSW are experiencing their fourth major flood in 18 months, with around 30,000 people subject to an evacuation order or warning on Monday.
Thousands of Greater Sydney residents have been left stranded after more than 150mm of rain fell in the last 24 hours in some areas across the state.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said the flooding was “heartbreaking” for people across western Sydney, the Hunter and other regions who were only just recovering from the last heavy downpour.
“For many communities, this is the fourth flood they have seen in less than 18 months. Some of those images are truly heartbreaking, seeing people's homes, their lives turned upside down again and their livelihoods very much impacted,” she said.
“Our heart very much goes out to people and communities at this time, and I want to reassure those communities that we will be there with them right through the recovery process.”
The forecast rainfall is feeding fears of continued flash flooding across the state, with NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Commissioner Carlene York warning residents that they are “not out of the danger yet”.
“We have another at least 24 hours to go before we hear that the rain may subside,” she said.
“But the ground is saturated, the rivers are fast flowing and the rivers are overflowing and it is dangerous out there, particularly Hawkesbury-Nepean.”
Major flooding is expected to impact that Hawkesbury-Nepean area, where the majority of the evacuation notices have been issued.
In the last few days there have been 116 flood rescues, with 83 of those occurring since 9pm on Sunday night.
There has also been nearly 1600 requests for assistance.
“We are facing dangers on multiple fronts, including that riverine flooding,” Ms Cooke told 2GB’s Chris Smith.
“It’s fast-flowing water so we’re very concerned that people may find themselves trapped.”
She also said the NSW government was working closely with the commonwealth on support and expects to hear an announcement relating to that on Tuesday.
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the situation was “very worrying” and called on those living in the area to do what they were told.
“If you‘re subject to an evacuation order, please don’t waste a moment,” he told ABC Radio.
“If you’re subject to an evacuation warning, be ready to move quickly.”
This is the fourth time in 18 months that residents along the Hawkesbury River, as well as other parts of southern NSW, are battling rising floodwaters.
Senator Watt said the latest flooding was shaping up to be the worst of them all.
“There’s a very good chance that the flooding (of the Hawkesbury) will be worse than any of the other three floods that the area’s had in the last 18 months,” he said.
“The other worrying aspect to this is that there are areas that haven’t flooded before in the region in the last 18 months or so which could very well flood this time.”
Mr Watt said an extra 100 ADF troops would be available from 8am on Monday, in addition to the 100 troops already on the ground who had been assisting with evacuations with the two night-time-capable helicopters.
His NSW counterpart noted the disaster fatigue felt by many residents impacted by floods across the state but urged people to remain alert and ready to act.
“It’s understandable that people are weary and quite frankly over it – particularly heading into school holidays,” Ms Cooke said.
“We just want people to get through this in one piece.”
As heavy rainfall continues, 66 communities have been issued with prepare-to-evacuate notices and urged to be prepared for waters to rise quickly.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet urged residents to stay safe and follow any evacuation orders or advice from the SES.
“I want to continue to ask people to follow the instructions of the SES. If there is an evacuation warning in place, please get ready to evacuate. If there is an evacuation order in place, please leave immediately,” he said.
“These instructions, warnings, orders, they are not in place for the sake of it. They are there to keep you and your family safe. As we have said, over the last couple of days, simply because of a past experience with a flood event, it does not mean that that will be the experience this time around.”
Seven evacuation centres have been established in the most high-risk areas in Canley Vale, Kasi Hill, Gosford, North Richmond and Richmond.
In addition to flash flooding, residents should be wary of landslides, coastal erosion and fallen trees.
The SES is urging people not to travel if it can be avoided, and to never drive through floodwaters.
Originally published as Emergency services urge NSW is not out of flood ‘danger’
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