With the heavy rainfall easing across the Macleay Valley attention now turns to our Lower Macleay communities as a slow-moving flood peak makes its way downriver.
Hat Head, South West Rocks, Gladstone, Smithtown, Kinchela, Belmore River and Crescent Head are already isolated due to road closures. Some key access roads to these locations may reopen on Thursday afternoon or evening.
NSW Health, Ambulance and Fire and Rescue are working with the teams at the Emergency Operations Centre included NSW SES, Police and Kempsey Shire Council, to assess the needs of residents in isolated townships.
There is a particular focus on Crescent Head which may be isolated for up to 24 hours.
On Wednesday, as the flood exceeded the height of the levees, the flood relief gates on Kinchela Creek and Belmore River were opened.
Kempsey Shire Council Director Operations and Planning, Robert Fish, said ocean tides slowing the flood peak coming downriver may mean it is some time before the gates can be closed.
“The flood peak is gradually making its way downstream and with this, we are seeing river levels in Kempsey and Smithtown fall slowly,” said Mr Fish.
“We know the gates being open is a strain on some Lower Macleay landholders however we cannot close them again until the river levels are low enough.”
In the north of our Shire, the early use of large scale water pumps connected to 1.2 kilometres of temporary hose has proven effective in Stuarts Point to remove surface water and lower groundwater levels, especially in Ocean Avenue and Third Avenue.
“The huge efforts in Stuarts Point over the past few days with the SES, RFS and Fire and Rescue supporting Council and residents to manage surface water and groundwater levels has saved homes,” said Mr Fish.
“With rain easing, a detailed assessment of residential sewerage systems and impacted properties is taking place today. This information and follow-up meetings with NSW Health will help determine next steps and provide more detailed information to residents affected.”
In impacted areas, residents are asked not to use toilets or showers or other equipment connected to the sewerage systems and not to walk through areas where there is surface water.
Shower and toilets are available for resident use at Stuarts Point Holiday Park and Grassy Head Holiday Park (attend reception for access) and the toilets at Stuarts Point sports fields and Foreshore are open.
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