NSW SES rescues after Northern Rivers lashed by heavy rainfall
Two drivers caught in raging floodwaters have been scooped up by the SES as heavy downpours hit the North Coast. Here’s the latest.
Tweed Heads
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tweed Heads. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two drivers caught in raging floodwaters in northern NSW have escaped harm after being rescued by the NSW SES amid a torrent of rainfall.
The vehicles, one at Possum Creek and one at Billinudgel, were caught up in the wild weather on Monday, which saw close to 200 millimetres of rain in parts of the region.
A State Emergency Service (SES) spokesperson said the inland trough resulted in “heavy, locally intense rainfall across southern and western NSW during Sunday and Monday”.
“The Lower Western and Riverina areas were particularly affected, resulting in flash flooding,” the spokesperson said.
“The NSW State Emergency Service responded to 115 incidents in the 24 hours to 5am this morning (Tuesday), including four flood rescues.
“In the Northern Rivers, there were two flood rescues yesterday in Billinudgel and Possum Creek, involving vehicles stuck in flood water.”
The Bureau of Meteorology stated well in excess of 100mm fell across the Northern Rivers, with Murwillumbah recording a whopping 176mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period from Monday to Tuesday.
Possum Creek, where one of the rescues took place, copped 113mm of rain.
The latest lashing comes after Tumbulgum residents told NewsLocal last week there were
“paranoid, freaked out and fearful” locals who were living in a state of trauma over the horrific 2022 floods.
Resident Brad Farmer said residents “become twitchy at the sight of storm clouds” and “they are flood fatigued to say the least”.
Longtime resident Dave Barker said: “When the waters are rising, you don’t know what to do to be honest.”
Over the Queensland-NSW border, the Gold Coast is still in a state of recovery after its fatal Christmas night storms.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese touched down on the Gold Coast and pledged a $20 million support package to help get the storm-smashed city back on track.
It’s not clear whether residents in the Tweed will receive a funding splash on the back of the wild weather.
The shire dodged the worst of the storms which lashed northern NSW and southeast Queensland, but some damage was done.
More Coverage
Originally published as NSW SES rescues after Northern Rivers lashed by heavy rainfall
‘Fearful, fed up’: Veteran launches community security patrol
Residential security patrols have been launched in the Northern Rivers after inundating pleas from “scared and angry” residents facing break-ins, repeat burglaries and tactics like doorknocking to target the vulnerable.
Johns/Daley Cup: The top talking points from round 2
From attacking clinics to individual masterclasses and even more comebacks, check out the top talking points from round two of the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups.