Fire and Rescue NSW crews tend to gas leak at Taree Aquatic Centre

You might not expect firefighters to be kept busy with all the rain bucketing down this week, but the wet weather was to blame for a risky mission Fire and Rescue NSW carried out this morning.

You might not expect firefighters to be kept busy with all the rain bucketing down this week, but the wet weather was to blame for a risky mission Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) carried out this morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology have revealed that, in the 24 hours to 9am today, 305mm of rain fell on Taree - making it the wettest day on record since 1881.

With almost half Melbourne’s annual rainfall hitting the Mid North Coast town in just one day, the Aquatic Club in Macquarie Street has started to go under.

In the flood chaos, three of the centre’s 210-kilogram LPG tanks started to leak.

Not only that, but the copper tubing attaching the cylinders to the building were threatening to break free.

Taree Fire Station crews attended the scene around 8am on Thursday, tested gas levels, put on breathing apparatus and waded to the side of the centre where they were able to seal the tanks and render the scene safe.

But that wasn’t the local team’s only heroic mission today.

Earlier today, the Taree crew also rescued an 81-year-old woman who had been trapped in her Gill Street unit by floodwaters.

Firefighters guided the woman, who was recovering from a recent operation, to safety.

At nearby Forster, FRNSW crews helped a mother and three children escape floodwaters that were threatening a local resort.

The distressed family was unable to open the door to their bungalow cabin in Tea Tree Road to evacuate.

Firefighters gathered the guests and safely escorted them to their nearby car.