PERSISTENT RAIN FALLS IN NSW, SES RESPONDS TO MORE THAN 140 INCIDENTS

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has continued to respond to incidents, following a wet week across the state.

Heavy rain has fallen in the Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina, and Snowy Mountains. The western suburbs of Sydney could see storm activity in the late afternoon or early evening on Wednesday.

Ahead of the rain NSW SES prepositioned flood rescue and storm teams and assets, including a high clearance vehicle in Tumut to respond to any flood-related incidents.  An air asset was also prepositioned in Wagga Wagga ahead of the severe weather, which is currently falling across the Riverina.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan ESM, said volunteers had responded to more than 140 incidents across the state and completed two flood rescues over the last 24 hours.

“NSW SES crews are active in Barham in the south west of the state, engaging with the community and informing them of their risk as minor flooding continues on the Murray River,” Assistant Commissioner Hogan said.

“We also have several warnings still in place across the North Eastern part of the state with minor flooding starting to ease on the Bellinger, Orara and Tweed Rivers.”

The heaviest rainfall in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday was confined to the Northern Rivers. In Murwillumbah 166 millimetres of rain was recorded, and a further 132 millimetres was recorded in the Brunswick River catchment.

Darkwood on the Bellinger River is no longer isolated, as flood water has started to recede. Properties on the Orara River between Coutts Crossing and Glenreagh remain isolated due to flood waters.

Assistant Commissioner Hogan said the NSW SES units in the area have been in regular contact with residents and are expecting conditions to improve as flood water recedes.

“Should the community need any urgent transportation or resupply of essential items such as medicines please contact the SES,” she said.

From Thursday, the weather is expected to contract to the north east of the state, with up to 70 millimetres of rain expected across some parts. The main concern would be flash flooding and renewed river rises given the consecutive days of rain and already wet catchments.

“We’re reminding people to take it easy on the roads, as we have seen many trees come down and also damage from water,” Assistant Commissioner Hogan said.

“If camping in low-lying areas, near rivers and creeks, or on floodplains please be careful and seek higher ground should flash flooding occur.”