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Wednesday, Apr 02, 2025
Outside the box.
Severe Flooding in New South Wales and Queensland Leads to Community Isolation
Significant rainfall results in extensive flooding, threatening prolonged isolation for several communities in Australia.
Recent heavy rainfall in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland has resulted in widespread flash flooding, with authorities warning that some communities may face isolation for weeks.
In Currarong, a small coastal village south of Wollongong, 210mm of rain fell within 24 hours up to 9am on Sunday.
While rainfall is expected to ease, long-term isolation threatens residents particularly in western NSW.
NSW State Emergency Service deputy commissioner Deb Platz reported that communities along the Paroo and Warrego Rivers could be faced with isolation lasting up to six weeks.
Authorities are urging residents to prepare for such scenarios.
Emergency services have mobilized resources, including helicopters and high-clearance vehicles, to assist those cut off from access to essential services.
Furthermore, there is heightened concern as another weather system is forecast to arrive on Wednesday, expected to deliver significant rainfall to northeastern NSW and the northern Mid North Coast.
In the last 24 hours, emergency services in NSW received approximately 1,700 requests for assistance, which included 19 calls for water rescues.
Search operations are ongoing for an elderly man who went missing after attempting to ford a flooded causeway in Bretti, located about 100km west of Taree.
The man, who was driving an SUV that was towing a caravan, was swept away as the Barnard River overflowed.
Authorities reported that around 22 campers who were stranded at a campground in the area are expected to be rescued as floodwaters recede.
Senior meteorologist Jonathan How emphasized that, despite some clearing in the weather, the threat of flooding remains as residual water continues to flow through affected areas.
In Central Queensland, towns such as Stonehenge and Windorah have experienced severe flooding following rainfall nearly double their average annual totals, marking the most significant flooding events since 1974. In response to the disaster, personal hardship assistance has been activated, offering concessional loans and freight subsidies to support primary producers in various western Queensland communities.
In Currarong, a small coastal village south of Wollongong, 210mm of rain fell within 24 hours up to 9am on Sunday.
While rainfall is expected to ease, long-term isolation threatens residents particularly in western NSW.
NSW State Emergency Service deputy commissioner Deb Platz reported that communities along the Paroo and Warrego Rivers could be faced with isolation lasting up to six weeks.
Authorities are urging residents to prepare for such scenarios.
Emergency services have mobilized resources, including helicopters and high-clearance vehicles, to assist those cut off from access to essential services.
Furthermore, there is heightened concern as another weather system is forecast to arrive on Wednesday, expected to deliver significant rainfall to northeastern NSW and the northern Mid North Coast.
In the last 24 hours, emergency services in NSW received approximately 1,700 requests for assistance, which included 19 calls for water rescues.
Search operations are ongoing for an elderly man who went missing after attempting to ford a flooded causeway in Bretti, located about 100km west of Taree.
The man, who was driving an SUV that was towing a caravan, was swept away as the Barnard River overflowed.
Authorities reported that around 22 campers who were stranded at a campground in the area are expected to be rescued as floodwaters recede.
Senior meteorologist Jonathan How emphasized that, despite some clearing in the weather, the threat of flooding remains as residual water continues to flow through affected areas.
In Central Queensland, towns such as Stonehenge and Windorah have experienced severe flooding following rainfall nearly double their average annual totals, marking the most significant flooding events since 1974. In response to the disaster, personal hardship assistance has been activated, offering concessional loans and freight subsidies to support primary producers in various western Queensland communities.
