LIVE: Bureau of Meteorology update
The Bureau of Meteorology NSW is providing an update about the extreme weather conditions across the state. Watch the press conference here:
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Photos: On the ground in Port Macquarie
By Ben Grubb
Photographer Matt Gilligan is on the ground in Port Macquarie, where he’s been documenting the deluge.
Trees are down on powerlines, sandbags are up outside cafes and shops, and floodwater is dispersed around car parks, town centres and front lawns.
‘A very scary time’: Drone photos show extent of flooding in Kempsey
By Ben Grubb
We’ve obtained some drone photography from Luke Jones, who is in Kempsey, a town on the Mid North Coast.
He says it’s been “a very scary time” for most residents due to the heavy rainfall across the region.
See the gallery below:
‘The worst flooding I can recall’: Port Macquarie CBD inundated with floodwaters
By Andrew Taylor
Port Macquarie residents experienced a brief reprieve from the rain on Saturday morning, with “a bit of blue sky” appearing between storm clouds.
But more rain is expected as Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor Geoff Hawkins described the disaster as unprecedented and “the worst flooding I can recall”.
“It’s affected more people and more seriously,” he said. It’s also affecting CBD areas - that’s unusual.”
Cr Hawkins said residents were coping “remarkably well considering we’ve had bushfires, we’ve had COVID, we had floods earlier”. But he added: “Eventually, [there’s] only so much you can take.”
Cr Hawkins said his home in Port Macquarie, located close to the Koala Hospital, was on higher ground and had not been affected by flooding.
Flooding in Port Macquarie on Saturday.Credit:Matt Gilligan
But he said: “It isn’t just the amount of rain we’ve had, it’s high winds. That has created problems for homes and businesses - not because of flooding, but getting storm damage.”
Fellow councillor Sharon Griffiths described the Hastings River as “bulging” from her home in Wauchope, about 20 minutes from Port Macquarie, where roads had been flooded and cut.
Floodwaters have also inundated the town of Kendall, 30 minutes south of Port Macquarie, with reports that part of a building housing Miss Nellie’s cafe was “floating away”.
The cafe’s owner, Janelle Nosworthy, said the damage was “even worse than we could have imagined - no words”.
“We are safe at home, but please think of my poor neighbours,” she said. “Their homes and families are suffering.”
Dozens of homes damaged in Sydney’s west
More than 30 homes have been damaged at Chester Hill in Sydney’s west as the city is hit by heavy rain.
Power and traffic around the area is affected. There is also minor flooding over roads across Sydney as the rain continues coming down.
Motorists are advised to slow down, take extra time, and stay home if you don’t need to go out. Do not drive through flooded roads.
Anyone who needs information on flood-affected areas in NSW can call the Public Information Inquiry Centre on 1800 227 228.
Authorities to provide update later today
By Ben Grubb
The NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner Carlene York will provide an operational update on the storm and flooding events across the state at 3pm AEDT on Saturday.
We’re also expecting the Bureau Of Meteorology to hold a media conference at 12pm.
We’ll aim to bring you those press conferences as a live stream.
Rivers looking more like lakes in pictures of flooding
Here’s some more pictures and vision of the swollen rivers across the state.
The Parramatta River has swallowed a bike path, while the Macleay River near Kempsey and the Hastings River at Port Macquarie are looking more like lakes.
Meanwhile, birds are taking advantage of an instant wetland that’s popped up at Sydney’s Centennial Park.
Major flooding possible for north-west Sydney
Major flooding is possible for the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo Rivers north-west of Sydney on Saturday, with moderate flooding in other areas nearby.
In an alert on Saturday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology said major flooding is possible at North Richmond, Windsor and Sackville from late Saturday, which “may be similar to the February 2020 event”.
Flooding at Windsor in February 2020.Credit:Rhett Wyman
“Moderate flooding is possible along the Nepean River at Menangle, Wallacia and Penrith late Saturday into Sunday,” the Bureau said.
The Colo River at Putty Road is expected to reach minor flood level at about midday, with major flooding possible later.
“No river level observations are available for the Colo River at Putty Road,” the Bureau said.
The Nepean River at Menangle Bridge is likely to exceed 5.2 metres (the minor flood level) on Saturday afternoon, possibly rising to a moderate flood overnight.
Major flooding is possible along the Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean River, with the Nepean River likely to exceed 3.9 metres (the minor flood level) on Saturday evening.
The Hawkesbury River at North Richmond is expected to reach the minor flood level (3.8 metres) at about midday today, then continue rising. It could reach the moderate level (7.9 metres) on Saturday evening then rise further to become a major flood.
Major floods are also possible on the Hawkesbury at Windsor and Sackville, with a moderate flood possible at Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry.
Moderate flooding is also possible at Wollombi Brook on Saturday afternoon, at Wollombi and Bulga.
Photos: Low-lying Port Macquarie regions go underwater
By Ben Grubb
The Facebook page “10,000 fans of Port Macquarie”, run by community members, has been collating photographs from locals. That cafe we showed you earlier? It’s now fully submerged:
Miss Nellie’s Cafe in Kendall went underwater overnight.Credit:10,000 fans of Port Macquarie Facebook group
One of the local sports clubs is also flooded:
The Telegraph Point Club.Credit:Kellie Morley
And there’s a cow in resident Alistair Flower’s front garden that’s not his:
A cow in the flood water.Credit:10,000 fans of Port Macquarie Facebook group
Do you have photos or a story to tell? Let us know below:
SES activated for more than 100 flood rescues
The SES has responded to more than 100 flood rescues, as heavy rain and rising river levels led to evacuation orders being issued for parts of the Mid North Coast on Friday and Saturday.
Residents in low-lying areas of North Haven, Dunbogan, Laurieton, Port Macquarie, Lower Macleay, Kempsey CBD, Wauchope, Rawdon Island, Bulahdelah, Kings Point, Macksville, Central Wingham, Taree Estate, Dumaresq Island and Cundletown have been ordered to leave because the areas could become inundated by water.
Flooding at Telegraph Point, near Port Macquarie.Credit:Nine
“Once flood water begins inundating the area, road access, water, sewerage, power, phones and internet may be lost. If you remain in the area you will be trapped and it may be too dangerous for SES to rescue you,” the agency said in one evacuation order.
“Wherever possible, people should go and stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.”
The SES has responded to 2700 jobs since the “significant weather event” began on Thursday, with 800 jobs overnight including leaking roofs and fallen trees. The SES has also been activated for 135 flood rescues.
Huge amounts of rain fell in the region between 9am on Friday and 5am on Saturday, including 373mm at Delward (Kendall), 343mm at Redoak (Stewarts River), 320mm at Logans Crossing, 280mm at Kindee Bridge, and 264mm at Wauchope.
Multiple evacuation centres have been set up, including at Taree RSL, Wingham Golf Club, Laurieton United Services Club and Bulahdelah Central School.
Anyone in a flood-affected area is asked to monitor the situation closely and act on advice given by emergency services immediately.
If you have to evacuate your home, you should:
- Lift possessions and important items above the predicted flood height
- Take pets, essential items, warm clothes, medicines, insurance documents and valuables with
you - Leave as early as possible to avoid restricted roads
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2021-03-20 00:59:54Z
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