Search resumes for woman swept away by floodwaters at Cessnock
The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium.
There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson..
Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock.
Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck.
The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater.
The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured.
NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater.
Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek.
SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment.
The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW.
Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from www.livetraffic.com.
An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place.
An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW.
Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers.
Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater.
Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road.
Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain.
Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads.
If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
Emergency services resumed a search on Sunday morning for a woman swept away in flood waters at Cessnock on Saturday night.
The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium.
There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson..
Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock.
Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck.
The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater.
The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured.
NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater.
Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek.
SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment.
The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW.
Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from www.livetraffic.com.
An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place.
An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW.
Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers.
Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater.
Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road.
Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain.
Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads.
If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
Emergency services resumed a search on Sunday morning for a woman swept away in flood waters at Cessnock on Saturday night.
The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium.
There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson..
Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock.
Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck.
The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater.
The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured.
NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater.
Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek.
SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment.
The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW.
Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from www.livetraffic.com.
An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place.
An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW.
Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers.
Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater.
Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road.
Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain.
Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads.
If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
Emergency services resumed a search on Sunday morning for a woman swept away in flood waters at Cessnock on Saturday night.
The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium.
There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson..
Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock.
Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck.
The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater.
The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured.
NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater.
Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek.
SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment.
The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW.
Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from www.livetraffic.com.
An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place.
An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW.
Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers.
Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater.
Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road.
Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain.
Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads.
If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
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Sky News AU
14 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Wet weather to hit southeast Queensland and New South Wales on Monday with cold weather to return in Melbourne
Wet weather is expected to return next week to southeast Queensland and New South Wales with residents in Sydney and Brisbane expected to cop the worse of it. Residents in New South Wales will see rain on Monday whilst Brisbane is expected to cop a drenching on Tuesday. Within that rain band, some gauges may see totals between 100-110mm, but it is unclear where it is expected to hit. This weekend, it is expected to be a cold one in Melbourne and Hobart as a cold front sweeps across the southeast of the country, but Perth will be spared the worse of the weather on Saturday breaking a six-week streak of wet weather. Across the weekend, conditions across the capital cities are expected to be mostly settled ahead of a change in the weather next week. On Saturday, Darwin will be mostly overcast with tops of 33C, Brisbane will be sunny with tops of 24C whilst Sydney will have a mostly cloudy start to the day with tops of 18C. Residents in Canberra will wake to a cold start before mostly cloudy skies, with a top of 12 degrees, whilst Melbourne and Hobart will shiver through a cold front with tops of 12. Adelaide will be warm with tops of 14 whilst Perth will be sunny with tops of 20. The sunny weather on Saturday breaks a six week weekend of wet weather for the western Australian capital which saw a 30 year record broken for the wettest winter in the Perth area. But on Sunday, conditions are expected to change as a rain band begins to cross the eastern states, with temperatures falling in Sydney to 17 and a frosty and cold start to the day in Canberra with lows of -4 and highs of 13. Conditions will also be cool in Hobart, Melbourne and Adelaide with a top of 12 in the Victorian and Tasmanian capitals whilst a mostly cloudy but warm day will greet residents in Perth. Brisbane and Darwin will be sunny. Sky News Weather Meteorologist Rob Sharpe said that the rain gauges across the eastern states were expected to be high, but could not pinpoint where the totals were expected to surpass 100mm. 'Somewhere between the Sunshine Coast and Illawarra will almost certainly exceed 100mm next week with even a chance of somewhere notching up more than 150mm," Sharpe said. The Bureau of Meteorology has not issued any weather warnings for the two states and the SES has not issued any flood warnings, but it is expected that warnings could be issued if rivers are likely to peak. However, the BoM has issued a marine wind warning for the Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast for Saturday.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Residents demand action on 'death trap' after flood tragedy
RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas. Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters. RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas. Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters. RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas. Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters. RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas. Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Causeway for concern: residents demand action on 'death trap' after flood tragedy
RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change on August 11. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement on Monday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 has been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by rising floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock City Council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock City Council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock City Council and Singleton City Council areas. Emergency services and local councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters. RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change on August 11. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement on Monday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 has been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by rising floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock City Council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock City Council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock City Council and Singleton City Council areas. Emergency services and local councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters. RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change on August 11. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement on Monday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 has been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by rising floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock City Council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock City Council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock City Council and Singleton City Council areas. Emergency services and local councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters. RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month. Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018. She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2. One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search. "This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said. "Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting. "Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken." Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out". "With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said. Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government. "It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said. The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country. Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors. "As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said. While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community. A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change on August 11. Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said. Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues. She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow. In a statement on Monday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 has been difficult for the community and beyond. The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA). "Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by rising floodwaters. "Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said. Cessnock City Council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage. The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure. Cessnock City Council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters. Old North Road lies in both Cessnock City Council and Singleton City Council areas. Emergency services and local councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters.
