Dozens of flood rescues as water flows down river
Emergency services have been working around the clock as multiple communities across the Clarence Valley remain isolated by flood water.
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Emergency services have been working around the clock as multiple communities across the Clarence Valley remain isolated by flood water.
“We’ve had over 20 flood rescues so far, about 230 requests for assistance last night, and another 50 requests this morning,” Clarence Valley local commander for NSW SES, Sue Chapple said.
“In addition to the nine local SES units who are using whatever resources they have, we’ve also been getting assistance from NSW Ambulance and local Rural Fire crews. A Queensland Fire and Rescue crew trained in flood rescue arrived to assist which is always a great help.”
Ms Chapple said this support was another positive example of inter-agency co-operation during a major event.
“With that inter-agency collaboration, it makes the whole process easier. For instance, one of our flood boats needed to bring a patient in from Copmanhurst and the Ambulance crew met them at the water’s edge and transported them straight to hospital.”
On Wednesday night, SES volunteers were assisted by Ulmarra and Gulmarrad Rural Fire Brigades to make and distribute sandbags following an evacuation order for low-lying areas of Ulmarra.
“With two crews from Gulmarrad to help us and the local SES boys and girls, we did about 800 sandbags and used about half to sandbag suspect spots around the village,” a spokesperson from Ulmarra RFS said.
Ms Chapple said that while the situation upriver remained relatively calm, all eyes were now on the Lower Clarence.
“Places near Harwood, Palmers Island, Iluka, Chatsworth Island and low-lying areas of Maclean such as Ilarwill are our biggest concern because people can become isolated and require flood boat assistance,” she said.
“Sometimes they want transport from properties to go stay with friends or relatives until it’s safe to return. A lot of water and electricity can often be cut off when water reaches a certain level.”
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