PHOTO: Dramatic helicopter rescue of man trapped in flood waters
An RFS helicopter crew have staged a daring rescue of a man trapped in floodwaters after the driver’s car was swept 100m downstream by raging floodwaters, as SES crews mount more than a dozen rescue missions across the region.
The South Coast News
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An RFS helicopter crew has staged a daring rescue of a motorist trapped in floodwaters after the man’s Mercedes SUV was swept 100m downstream by raging floodwaters, as SES crews mounted more than a dozen rescue missions across the region.
Members of the RFS brigade in the Kangaroo Valley were called in to assist in the “large-scale” operation to rescue the driver as the inundated causeway near Walkers Ln brought water up to the car’s windows on Thursday morning.
“Police and ambulance rescue teams were activated and eventually the person was winched out by an RFS helicopter,” according to the RFS.
“Continuing rain made for hazardous conditions with further road closures of Cambewarra Mountain this morning limiting access.”
According to the RFS, a second operation would be mounted once water levels have subsided to rescue five dogs stranded in the rear of the vehicle.
The rescue comes as stark warnings are being issued for residents in the Illawarra and south coast regions as NSW SES grappled with more than a dozen rescue operations in as many hours.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned residents on Thursday that “intense” rainfall was possible along coastal areas of the Illawarra, with severe thunderstorm warnings to be issued if they develop.
Since midnight, emergency crews have been dispatched to rescue motorists and livestock from flooded roadways across the region, according to SES Southeast Zone chief superintendent, Colin Malone.
Rescue operations had been widespread, according to Mr Malone, with callouts being made to areas in the Shoalhaven area, South Nowra, and the Kangaroo Valley.
In Dapto, south of Wollongong, video released by that area’s SES unit show flowing water from a nearby water body flooding onto the street. That area, near Drakes Rd, had drawn multiple rescue operations since storm conditions began last night, Mr Malone said.
“All bar a couple of the rescues pertain to people who are driving through flood waters,” he said.
“It might seem like that it’s only a little bit of water, but it’s translating into rescues.
“We’re really urging people not to do that.”
Another two rescues had been carried out on the now-closed Picton Rd where Mr Malone said it was unclear if motorists had entered the floodway accessway before or after the road had been closed.
Statewide, the NSW SES received more than 680 storm and flood related requests for assistance overnight as reports come in from across the south coast and Illawarra regions of flooded homes and streets.
As of 11.30am, Wollongong had received 87mm of rain. In April 2021, the city received only 12.6mm.
In St Georges Basin, near Jervis Bay, photos shared online by the local SES unit depict streets inundated with floodwaters and backyards overflowing with waters rising from a nearby creek which had broken its banks. The Jervis Bay area had received 86mm of rain as of 11.30am.
Mr Malone said steady rainfall was expected to continue into the afternoon, concentrating in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas, as far down as Ulladulla.
“It’s quite broad and widespread,” he said.
“Flash flooding effects that we’re seeing will abate with the rain easing.
“But, that doesn’t mean that the risk is going away.”
Mr Malone said the SES was particularly focused on homes in the Sussex Inlet region, where residents had been delivered evacuation orders during last month’s storm events.
Those homes could be subject to minor flooding on the high tides, Mr Malone warned, with a similar forecast for homes along the Shoalhaven River.
“The river catchment extends right up to the Braidwood area in inland New South Wales,” Mr Malone said.
“Not to forget, we’ve got places like Ulladulla and the range of lakes south of Ulladulla that are full and they’ve had a lot of rain. These are lakes with holiday homes around them and our crews down there keeping a very close eye.
“They’ve already got water coming out of those lakes into yards and things like that, so we really need to remain focused on that.”
Parts of the Princes Hwy between Nowra and Sussex Inlet were also likely to be currently impacted, said Mr Malone, who urged residents to check Live Traffic NSW and to avoid unnecessary travel.
“All of the rescues where people have driven in the floodwaters, there is somebody waiting for them to come home,” Mr Malone said.
“While so far we’ve been fortunate that the rescues have had positive outcomes, we’re only the next one away and we could need to wait a little while, and that decision may put their life in danger.”
Road closures – Last updated midday
Road closures and warnings have been issued for a number of accessways across the Illawarra and south coast due to Thursday’s weather. They are:
Illawarra
- Landslip – Illawarra Hwy between Jamberoo Mountain Rd and Yellow Rock Rd
- Landslip – Moss Vale Rd between Myra Vale Road and Bunkers Hill Rd
- Sand spillage – M1 Princes Motorway at Mount Ousley Rd
- Hazard: debris – Picton Rd on-ramp to M1 Princes Motorway
- Fallen Tree - Moss Vale Rd between Kangaroo Valley Road and Barfield Rd
- Flooding - Illawarra Hwy at Taylor Rd
- Flooding - Princes Hwy at Bulli Pass
- Flooding - Illawarra Hwy at Taylor Rd
- Closed – Bong Bong Rd closed at the bridge near Hamilton St
- Closed – Drakes Rd closed both directions from Princes Hwy eastern side to Australian Motorlife Museum
- Closed – Cleveland Rd at Dapto High
- Closed – West Dapto Rd (at the bend)
- Closed – Princes Hwy, Dapto – Closed at Unara Rd & Yalunga St
- Water over road – Avondale Rd, Dapto
- Water over road – Sheaffes Rd, Dapto
- Water over road – Princes Hwy at Bulli Pass
TfNSW has also said: “Motorists are reminded that with the closure of Barrengarry Mountain, detours are in place via Hume Motorway, Picton Rd and the Princes Hwy. Light vehicles can also detour via Jamberoo Mountain Rd, adding up to an additional 30 minutes to travel times.
“Vehicles over 10 metres, vehicles over 12 tonnes, buses and vehicles towing caravans of any size need to detour via Hume Motorway, Picton Rd and M1 Princes Motorway, adding up to an additional 60-90 minutes to travel times.
“Transport for NSW is also investigating options to carry out maintenance work on Hampden Bridge while the road is closed to avoid further closures once roads reopen.”
Eurobodalla
- Road damage - Kings Hwy near Northangera Rd
Flood warnings – Last updated midday
Shoalhaven
- Shoalhaven River – minor flooding
- St Georges Basin – minor flooding
Eurobodalla
- Moruya and Deua Rivers – minor flooding
School closures
Dapto High School
Kanahooka High School
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