Defence troops head to Broke as residents remain stranded in town, others return home

An aerial photograph of the Hunter Region shows the scale of flood devastation, as Defence Force personnel move in to help with rescues. But BOM finally has some good news for our rain-battered state. READ THE LATEST.

The lush, green landscape of the Hunter Valley resembled a murky inland sea on Friday when brown water descended on Maitland, flooded the tiny town of Broke, and ripped roads to shreds.

But, for the first time in a week, NSW residents will finally be granted a reprieve.

Showers and rain in eastern NSW in are expected to ease, with blue skies forecast for Friday.

Winds should help to soften flooding in Hunter and Hawkesbury areas.

It comes after a brutal Thursday, when the Hunter Valley town of Broke lost roads.

NSW SES tweeted it had taken on over 370 flood rescues and 7600 requests for assistance from flood impact across the state this week.

“During the severe weather event starting last Tues 28 June, over 2,600 members have been deployed operationally.”

After a challenging week, NSW SES crews have responded to over 🟠370 flood rescues and 🟠7,600 requests for assistance from flood impact communities across the State. During the severe weather event starting last Tues 28 June, over 2,600 members have been deployed operationally. pic.twitter.com/YZeKLuVh5q

— NSW SES (@NSWSES) July 7, 2022

On Thursday evening Australian Defence Force troops were on their way to Broke to assist with recovery efforts as some residents remained stranded in town, while others returned to count their losses.

Water was finally starting to recede from the tiny township just outside Singleton, with emergency services estimating up to 60 houses have been ravaged by floodwaters.

An aerial shot of Maitland on Friday shows the scale of the devastation. Picture: Eugene Koen Photography

More than 300mm battered the mid-North Coast and major flooding threatened Maitland after the Hunter River at Singleton peaked at 13.7m, well above the March 2022 flood level.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) Diane Eadie said the past 24 hours saw “extraordinary” rain totals.

“We’ve seen widespread 100mm to 300mm over the last 24 hours particularly around the mid-North Coast. We saw 305mm in Taree and 213mm in Forster,” she said on Thursday evening.

“Singleton was an area of concern overnight. It looks likely now that we‘ve seen that peak at around 13.71m, which has exceeded the level that we saw in March 2022.

“Good news with the Singleton area is that it is likely now that we will start to see those (ease).

A vital part of Broke Rd, which goes to Singleton, has been completely wiped out by the floods. Picture: David Swift

Hunter Valley RFS District Operational Officer John Ryan inspects the broken road. Picture: David Swift

“Maitland is still at risk and we could potentially see major flooding in the Maitland area of 10.5m.”

Rural Fire Service (RFS) District Operational Officer John Ryan said the true extent of the damage could be seen on Thursday morning following days of flooding.

“Water are starting to recede. It is starting to expose the true extent of the damage: roads are completely washed away,” he said.

“We have some residents starting to return to their properties.”

Mr Ryan said up to a metre of water has run through about 60 houses in the town of about 300 people.

Broke residents Brent and Alex Smolenaers evacuated with their five dogs. Picture: Steve Brown Singleton RFS

Residents being evacuated from Broke in the Hunter Region on Wednesday. Picture: Steve Brown Singleton RFS

“RFS are offering any assistance to residents who are starting to remove furniture from their properties,” he said.

“It is devastating, the recovery effort is going to take days or weeks.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said rapid damage assessments were underway with more than 700 completed.

“We have around 1000 SES volunteers on the ground today. There are a number of inspections in terms of damage assessments for properties, over 700 that have occurred,” he said.

BOM reports that the Hunter River has stop rising, but properties remain inundated. Picture: David Swift

About 60 homes in Broke were flooded. Picture: David Swift

“We continue to work with the federal government in relation to the releasing of funds and making sure that financial assistance has been provided to those who need it as quickly as possible.”

In the last 24 hours, persistent heavy rain has dumped on the region with 150mm fall at Macquarie College, 130mm fall at Wallsend and 125mm at Merewether.

The destructive weather system then moved further north, causing havoc in the Bellinger and Nambucca areas with immense pours of 204mm in North Bonville, up to 200mm in parts of Coffs Harbour and 196mm at Crystal Creek.

In Collombatti, about 15km from Kempsey, a 72-year-old woman had to be winched out of the driver’s seat of an SUV that had been pushed downstream by rapid floodwaters.

Mid North Coast Police District is now looking at recommending all officers to be recognised for their efforts. Picture: NSW Police

The water was chest-deep but local police were able to attach a safety line from a 4WD to a sergeant who bravely entered the floodwaters to open the semi-submerged car door and pull her out.

The worst of the wet weather has passed but flooding will continue as the excess water moves through NSW’s waterways, especially in Sydney where residents have been urged to reduce water usage. 

Sydney has started a massive clean up with earth moving equipment being brought into Bondi Beach to remove tonnes of sand deposited on the promenade.

Layers of sand have blanketed the main beachfront walkway at Bondi Beach. Picture: John Grainger

Traffic lights are still operating on submerged roads in Singleton on Thursday. Picture: NSW SES Singleton Unit

On the Hawkesbury, masses of timber, plastic tanks, including an 1000 litre full chemical drum, and a fibreglass spa were collected among other debris by the Central Coast Clean4shore team.

The SES said easing conditions allowed them to scale back evacuation orders for 57 locations, that were mostly in south west Sydney, however 74 remain in place.

“Today, we’re really going to focus on the isolated communities and what supplies and assistance they need,” NSW SES Hunter Region Tammy Garrett said.

The baby let out a big cry once it was safe onshore in the arms of a life saver awaiting an ambulance. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

“The community has reacted so well to the warnings and advice messages and enacted their own plans. It’s been fantastic to see the response of the community. The majority of the community have already done what they need to do.”

An incredible rescue occurred on Wednesday evening when a blue-lipped 10-month-old boy had to be revived after floodwaters swamped him and his mother in Bulga.

The mother’s distress call was answered by emergency services and surf lifesavers were captured carrying the tiny boy – who let out a big cry – onshore.

Overnight, The SES responded to 1173 requests for help with majority of calls being from within these areas.

Originally published as Defence troops head to Broke as residents remain stranded in town, others return home