Flood horror as families and pets’ rescues caught on camera

Footage of desperate rescues of families and pets has emerged as emergency crews scramble to save residents trapped in raging floodwaters.

Dozens of people and pets have been rescued by helicopter as floodwaters swept through Central West NSW, after thousands were forced to flee from the rising water.

Eighteen people and 14 pets, including dogs, cats, and a turtle, were rescued by the State Emergency Service (NSW SES) in the LifeFlight chopper from 5am this morning.

The Land Rover LifeFlight Special Mission helicopter crew has rescued 18 people and 14 pets - including dogs, cats and a turtle.

Some were rescued from the top of their homes after flood waters quickly rose.

Many were treated for hypothermia-like symptoms after being in the water.

Many campers told the crew it was not raining when they went to sleep but that they woke up to water rising halfway up their caravans.

Large swathes of western NSW have reported more than 80mm of rainfall over the 24 hours to Monday, which has led to renewed flooding in many areas.

Residents in low-lying areas of Canowindra have been issued urgent evacuation warnings due to high river levels and dangerous flash flooding. An evacuation centre has been opened at Canowindra Public School in Tilga Street.

The nearby town of Molong has become completely isolated by floodwaters and residents are unable to evacuate due to flash flooding. Locals have been told to take shelter on higher ground as emergency services battle to rescue stranded residents.

Residents in Canowindra have been urged to leave their homes as floodwaters rise. Picture: Facebook

The small central NSW town of Eugowra is still battling rising flood waters.

A helicopter has been sent to assist the State Emergency Services with a number of rescues, including medical retrievals.

Emergency crews were called to assist six vehicles in floodwaters at Woodstock after a bridge washed away.

Two children had a lucky escape in Albury on the NSW/Victoria border when the SES was able to pull them out of harm’s way while they played in a storm drain.

In the last 24 hours, NSW SES has responded to 33 flood rescues and 462 requests for assistance.

Residents are being urged to stay alert for evacuation warnings to avoid being isolated by quick-moving floodwaters. The silver lining for flood weary residents is the cancellation of severe thunderstorm warnings, which were slated to bring sudden heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash flooding.

Thunderstorms have weakened central and northern NSW, and there are no longer any severe thunderstorms occurring in NSW and the ACT.

Floods in NSW

Evacuation orders have been put into place for parts of central NSW.

Low-lying parts of Gooloogong are under evacuate now orders due to major floodwaters, with an evacuation centre set up at Gooloogong Country Club on Nelligan Lane.

The majority of Forbes, including the city’s CBD, north west, west, north east, east and south are ordered to evacuate before 9am Tuesday.

Flooding is expected to peak for Forbes on Thursday, with water levels to reach 10.80 metres according to the BOM.

Residents in low lying parts of Cowra have also been told to evacuate, including those in the caravan park.

Senior meteorologist Jonathan Gow told Sunrise there were new flood warnings issued for parts of New South Wales on Monday morning.

“There will be much more water to come down through those river systems so keep an eye on those warnings from your local SES,” Mr Gow said.

He said the heaviest rainfall overnight was in the western slopes, particularly communities around Bathurst in central western NSW.

“Unfortunately Forbes saw 120mm yesterday so we’re seeing more flooding along the Lachlan River today,” Mr Gow said.

“We can also see major flooding at Bathurst … the worst has passed but flooding can take days if not weeks to subside.”

Meanwhile, a rescue is underway for a person who became trapped in his vehicle in Alectown early on Monday morning. He contacted NSW SES for help just before 4am.

Heavy rain continues to smash parts of NSW. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

Flooding in Molong was already pronounced on Monday morning. Picture: Kerri Ambler

NSW Police and RFS personnel have located him but have been unable to access him. An Australian Defence Force helicopter has been deployed to assist with the rescue.

Major flooding continues at Warren and along the Molong Creek at Molong, which peaked at peaked at 4.70 metres (estimated) around 4.15 am on Monday.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call triple-0 (000) immediately.

Despite the wet conditions in much of the state, Sydney can expect to reach a top of 29 degrees today with a 60 per cent of showers in the morning.

Victoria

The Bureau has issued alerts for minor to major flooding for the Murray and Edward Rivers in Victoria.

Residents in Albury, Corowa, Yarrawonga, Tocumwal, Echuca, Moama, Torrumbarry, Barham, Swan Hill, Wakool Junction, Boundary Bend, Euston, Mildura, Wentworth, Deniliquin, Stevens Weir and Moulamein should continue to monitor weather alerts.

Mr Gow said Victoria saw 40-60mm of rain overnight on Sunday.

He said there are new warnings with moderate flooding likely in Wangaratta and across northeast Victoria.

An exercise machine floating down the Yarra river during the recent floods in Victoria. Picture: Ian Currie

Severe thunderstorms also passed across the Mornington Peninsula on Sunday.

“There’s renewed flooding for parts of northern Victoria. There’s no ability for trees or grass to soak up the rate from overnight and that’s why we are seeing it flow into the rivers as well,” Mr Gow said.

As rain starts to ease on Monday morning, Melbourne will experience a high of 20C before temperatures drop on Tuesday to 14C.

Snow is expected to fall in mountainous areas by midweek as the unseasonably cool weather takes hold of the state.

South Australia

Meanwhile, thousands of South Australian school students won’t be able to attend school due to storm damage after power outages across the weekend.

The Education Department announced more than 50 public preschools, primary and high schools in areas of Adelaide will remain closed on Monday.

The department said it was working with the SACE Board to reschedule year 12 exams.

That list was expected to change on Sunday night but it does not include private schools.

More 160,000 properties were without power over the weekend after lightning storms lashed the state. On Monday, more than 34,000 homes are still without power after widespread storms and lightning strikes downed power lines across the state.

Many areas of South Australia have been devastated by a wild weekend of storms. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The SES currently are attending to around 260 call outs.

Crews were busy over the past week, with about 2000 calls for assistance made to the SES.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told The Advertiser that SA Power Networks was working “furiously” to fix fallen power lines through the night, which could mean many schools slated for closure may open.

He urged parents to closely monitor social communications.

Queensland

As the most of the country battles with heavy rain, parts of Queensland continue to cope with a severe heatwave.

The Bureau forecast a maximum temperatures in the mid to high 30s and minimum temperatures in the mid 20s are expected over the Peninsula district through until at least next weekend.

Locations likely to be impacted include Weipa in the northern tip of Queensland.

Originally published as Flood horror as families and pets’ rescues caught on camera