Tesla stranded in Port Macquarie as region suffers record flooding

Footage has captured the moment a Tesla became trapped in floodwaters in Port Macquarie, as wild weather conditions batter the region.

Footage has captured the moment a Tesla became trapped in floodwaters in Port Macquarie, as the NSW Mid North Coast is battered by wild weather.

Some 50,000 people have been told to prepare to evacuate and almost 10,000 homes are at risk as a result of the weather event, with Premier Chris Minns warning communities should brace for “more bad news” in the next 24 hours.

“There is 140 flood warnings, 50,000 people are in the range where they have been asked to prepare to evacuate and could be isolated, and there’s been 9500 properties in the direct vicinity,” Mr Minns told reporters during an update on Thursday.

“So we’re far from out of the woods here.”

In Port Macquarie, which sits at the mouth of the Hastings River, conditions have already taken a turn for the extreme, resulting in State Emergency Service (SES) call-outs – one of which was to a Tesla driver, whose vehicle became stranded in floodwaters on Hastings River Dr.

Footage has captured the moment a Tesla became trapped in floodwaters in Port Macquarie, as wild weather conditions batter the region. Picture: Adam Dederer

An SES crew was called in to rescue the man. Picture: Adam Dederer

Video of the incident, shared by local man Adam Dederer to the Coffs Harbour Weather Watch Facebook group, “highlights the importance of avoiding flooded areas, ensuring that emergency responders can devote their resources to assisting those in urgent need”, he said.

Thousands of SES crews are working to rescue people trapped in floodwaters across the impacted region, Mr Minns said.

Three people have already been reported missing, while a 63-year-old man’s body was tragically found in a flood-impacted home in Moto on Wednesday afternoon.

Dad with terminal cancer stuns in flood act

Meanwhile, footage of a dad saving his mowers by driving them through floodwaters captured the heart of Aussies everywhere.

Craig Hawley – better known as Pappy Haych – was quick to save his lawn gear once floodwaters rapidly rose on Wednesday on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Wife Annie captured the epic footage from the couple’s home in Wingham, posting it to her salon’s social media page.

Hilariously, Annie also put the song “When a Man Loves a Woman” on the video.

“We hope everyone on our Mid North Coast are safe and okay,” she wrote.

“We are feeling very devastated for our neighbouring businesses in Wingham. We are more than willing to lend a hand in any way we possibly can.

“The Salon will remain closed until further notice. Fortunately, we are okay. So are my husband’s mowers!”

Commenters on the post were quick to praise Pappy’s dedication to saving his mowers.

“God’s country. That area locals are survivors, get through anything,” one said.

Another wrote: “Bloody bless Australia mate! What a legend!”

Speaking to news.com.au, wife Annie said the water came up in about two hours, and didn’t stop for 24 hours.

Luckily there was no damage to Pappy’s mowers. Picture: Facebook

Commenters on the post called Pappy a “legend” for the move. Picture: Facebook

She said there was luckily “no damage” to the mowers.

“Both still go. He’s pretty anal about his gear!” Annie said.

The couple have five adult kids and is about to have their seventh grandchild.

Annie said they moved to Wingham 12 months ago after becoming empty nesters.

Sadly, seven weeks after moving to Wingham, the couple found out Pappy had an aggressive brain tumour.

With a terminal diagnosis, the couple decided to stay and travel around Australia with the time they have. Medics say he has between two to four months to live.

“We almost went back to family, but decided to stay,” Annie said.

“So, the mowers safety didn’t keep him down yesterday!”

The couple recently travelled to Uluru after friends started a GoFundMe.

Pappy and Annie recently travelled to Uluru. Picture: Facebook

“Makes us happy we started having kids young, so we could have some incredible bonding years with our grandkids too,” Annie said.

You can donate to the GoFundMe here.

Originally published as Tesla stranded in Port Macquarie as region suffers record flooding