Floodwaters are finally starting to go down in parts of New South Wales, but the scale of the disaster is still massive, with five people confirmed dead and around 50,000 residents cut off across the state.
Emergency services are still working around the clock, and the clean-up is only just beginning for some communities.
Sadly, the death toll has risen. Police said a fifth person, a man in his 80s, was found dead after a shed fire at a property in Cooplacurripa, northwest of Taree. Emergency services couldn’t reach the property by road or air due to the floods. When they finally got there, they found the man’s body in a burnt-out vehicle inside the shed. Forensic police are now investigating, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
There’s also been some dispute over the circumstances of another victim’s death. Pauline Fitzsimons, 58, was swept away at Dorrigo after driving through floodwaters.
Police said she was travelling in convoy with an officer who turned back, but she decided to keep going. “The water levels were only ankle deep. He decided to go back, he gave her his phone number and told her to continue with caution,” said NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddel, per 9 News.
Thirty minutes later, she made a desperate call for help, but her body was found hours later. Her family released a statement saying, “The idea that our mother was a reckless driver is a terrible lie.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited the disaster zone, said, “I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on an individual circumstance, except to say this: my heart goes out to the family and loved ones of this woman.”
In a positive update, police confirmed a 49-year-old man who went missing near Nymboida on Wednesday night has been found safe. He was last seen walking near a flooded road and didn’t return home, sparking a major search.
Thankfully, he was found by locals at a property in Kangaroo Creek, about 12 kilometres from where he disappeared. Police said the man was “in good spirits”, per 9 News.
Communities still cut off
Even as some rivers start to drop, tens of thousands are still isolated, especially in places like Hinton, Taree, Kempsey, and Dungog. Emergency services have carried out more than 700 flood rescues so far, and the NSW SES says there are still 160 active warnings, with 39 at emergency level.
The cleanup begins
In Taree, water levels on the Manning River have eased, letting thousands of residents return and start cleaning up. But it’s a huge job, with an estimated 10,000 homes damaged on the Mid North Coast alone. The Kempsey CBD is still under water, and many roads and bridges are out of action.
Paul McQueen from the SES said, “We’re seeing conditions improve and we will have an increased number of volunteers out in force today to start the damage assessment process, which is likely to take some time to complete. This is important work to allow us to assess any access and safety issues before de-escalating evacuation orders.”
Support for those affected by the NSW floods
The NSW and federal governments have announced personal hardship grants — $180 per individual or $900 per family — for people affected by the floods. “That funding is on the way for communities that are subject to an evacuation order,” said Premier Chris Minns. There’s also a $1 million community recovery grant for each local council affected by emergency orders.
You can found out more information on how to access these grants HERE.
What’s next?
Rain has eased over the Mid North Coast, and drier weather is expected to hang around for the weekend. But there’s still a risk of strong winds on the NSW coast, and the SES is urging everyone to stay safe, avoid floodwaters, and be patient as recovery teams get to work.
If you’re in an affected area, keep up with the latest warnings and don’t try to drive or walk through floodwaters. As McQueen put it, “We will continue to resupply those isolated residents by land, water and air as part of our multi-agency response. We ask you to be patient, remain in a safe location and please don’t be tempted to drive through floodwaters or go sightseeing.”
For a full list of flood warnings in NSW, click HERE.
The post NSW Floods: 5 Dead, 50,000 Still Isolated As Cleanup Begins & Missing Man Found Safe appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
