New South Wales has been impacted by widespread heavy and locally intense rainfall since Tuesday 22 Feb 2022. Severe Storms and heavy rainfall impacted the Northern parts of NSW causing extensive flooding to communities in the Northern Rivers region. As a result, many communities in the Northern Rivers region have experienced significant flood and storm damage.
An East-Coast Low (ECL) impacted Metropolitan Sydney and South Coast regions on Thursday 03 March 2022. Combined with saturated grounds and catchment areas being at capacity, the ECL caused riverine flooding along the Georges River and Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers leading to flooding in several communities along these rivers. A further ECL formed on Monday 07 March 2022 that impacted the Mid-North Coast, Hunter, Central Coast, Metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra region and the South Coast. This impacted communities in Metropolitan Sydney which had experienced flooding with the previous ECL leading to further flooding for some communities.
Many communities have been severely impacted by flooding and severe weather. New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES), with the assistance of partner agencies, is continuing to respond to a range of response activities across these areas. Assistance to these many communities is the key focus over the recovery phase which is expected to take a few weeks.
NSW SES continues to work with the Bureau of Meteorology to provide public information to ensure communities are aware of their current risk and advice on actions to take.
There is a potential for flooding to occur in the North Western parts of NSW, including Mungindi to Collarenebri as floodwater travels down river systems from Queensland into NSW. NSW SES is monitoring this situation and planning for the impacts of potential flooding in these areas which were previously impacted by flooding late in 2021.
Severe Weather Warnings are current for:
- Severe Weather Warning for Illawarra and parts of Hunter, Metropolitan and South Coast locations. – Damaging Wind Gusts continuing over eastern NSW.
- Severe Weather Warning for parts of Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast locations. – East Coast Low to continue producing Damaging Surf across southerly facing beaches.
Continue to monitor for weather updates.
In the past 24hrs, NSW SES has received a further 2,559 requests for assistance. (Weather event total over 22,000)*
Current active Evacuations Orders and Warnings:*
- 60 Evacuation Orders are current for (40,001 persons).
- 27 Evacuation Warnings are current for (19,906 persons).
- 30 “Return Safely” Notices have been issued (90,750 persons).
- 23 are currently active.
Next steps toward recovery
As flood levels drop, you should take care when returning to impacted locations as flood damage can be widespread and utilities may not be in service.
What you need to do:
- Drive slowly, plan your route carefully to avoid any flooded roads and allow extra travel time. Damage to roads and buildings caused by flooding may still exist in your area.
- Remain vigilant as there could still be water in low lying areas.
- Take care as local roads could still have water over them.
If your property has been affected by floodwater:
- Make sure your property is safe before entering. Check for damage to windows, walls and the roof and be careful of potential dangers including asbestos
- Make sure the electricity and gas is turned off before going inside. Use a torch to carry out inspections inside buildings
- If power points, electrical equipment, appliances or electrical hot water systems have been exposed to floodwater or are water damaged in any way, they must be inspected by a qualified electrician before use
- Gas appliances and gas bottles that have been exposed to floodwater should be inspected for safety before use
- Wear suitable protective clothing, including boots and gloves when cleaning up
- Be aware of any slip, trip or fall hazards
- Never eat food which has been in contact with floodwater
- Only use clean utensils and personal items; and
- Have a supply of fresh drinking water.
If you require the delivery of essential supplies due to being isolated or assistance with clean out, please call 13 77 88 and log your request for assistance.
Click image below to view photos of this extraordinary weather event:
