DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS UNDERWAY IN ILLAWARRA, FLOOD WATERS PEAK ON HAWKESBURY NEPEAN

Clean up efforts are underway in the Illawarra following intense heavy rainfall and flash
flooding. NSW State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers along with emergency partner
agencies have been conducting damage assessments, and washouts throughout the
day.

As of 2pm today, NSW SES crews have assessed 74 properties in the Illawarra area. 57
properties have been damaged, with 28 inundated by flood water. 14 properties were
assessed as not habitable. The NSW SES expects damage assessments to be
completed in the Illawarra later today.

Meanwhile there was a major flood peak at North Richmond overnight, and moderate
flood peak at Windsor today.

While the flood levels have peaked, there are still 300 homes and around 800 people in
the Sydney area that are currently under emergency evacuation warnings.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said it was likely these warnings will
remain in place for a couple of days until river levels drop below the minor flood warning
level.

“It is our priority to get people back to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so,” he
said.

“Once the flood water recedes our crews will be out in force on the ground assisting
with damage assessments.

“In the meantime, we’re available to assist any isolated resident with resupply of
essential items and our volunteers will be conducting welfare checks.”

The NSW SES is expecting there to be some impacts including damage to property as a
result of this flooding.

Assistant Commissioner Storey praised the efforts of the 5000 SES volunteers who have
been working tirelessly through this weather event.

“We’ve seen the very best from our volunteers conducting almost 200 flood rescues
and responding to just under 5000 incidents across the state.”