Search continues for Nowra nurse believed missing in floodwaters
A search is underway for a Nowra nurse believed missing in floodwaters in the state’s north as emergency services issue weather warnings for vast swathes of the NSW coastline.
The South Coast News
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The identity of a woman believed missing in floodwaters near Lismore has been revealed by NSW Police as 55-year-old Nowra nurse Alina Brakel, as flood-ravaged communities face renewed evacuation orders.
Ms Brakel was due to travel to the flood-damaged region for her work as an aged care nurse sometime after March 21, according to a post to her Facebook account dated February 20.
Emergency services began their search for Ms Brakel at about 9.50pm on Tuesday after reports a woman had been trapped in her vehicle by floodwaters.
Search and rescue operations scoured areas near Wyrallah Rd at Monaltrie, but after several hours were unable to locate Ms Brakel. Officers from Richmond Police District resumed their search on Wednesday morning with assistance from Police Rescue, Water Police and NSW SES volunteers.
As of Thursday afternoon, NSW Police could not provide any update on the search.
The Wilsons River at Lismore peaked at 11.4m around 5pm on Wednesday and had dipped to 10.78m by Thursday, with major flooding, according to NSW SES.
The emergency agency warned of damaging winds impacting almost the entire NSW coastline on Thursday, with strong winds likely from Coffs Harbour down to Eden.
Ms Brakel is described as being Asian in appearance, between 150-160cm tall, with a thin build, black and red long hair, and was last seen in the vicinity of Wyrallah Rd.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen a 2017 white Holden Captiva station wagon with NSW registration YHS 51F in the greater Lismore area to contact police.
Find the latest on the flood situation here.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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