NSW floods death toll rises to three, one missing

Perth Now

22-05-2025

Three people have now been confirmed dead, and one remains missing in the catastrophic flooding that has devastated large parts of New South Wales.
The body of the third person, a woman aged in her 60s, was recovered in a vehicle in floodwaters west of Coffs Harbour, police confirmed on Thursday afternoon, while emergency crews continue search and rescue efforts for the fourth.
Speaking from Newcastle police station, Northern Region Commander assistant commissioner David Waddell said the woman had been driving back from Sydney, detouring off the Pacific Highway M1, and had received a convoy from a police officer part of the way.
He said the the officer was forced to turn back when the water-lashed roads became too dangerous for his vehicle, a BMW. The woman continued on driving for about 30 minutes before calling for help.
'She was in a four-wheel drive,' Mr Waddell said. 'She continued for about another 17km, about 30 minutes later was when she got into trouble. That water was obviously faster flowing and deeper.'
Mr Waddell said by the time emergency services arrived she could not be found, describing the situation as 'a tragic circumstance'.
He said the woman's family had been notified and the officer involved was 'traumatised' by the incident and was being wrapped in support services.
'From our point of view, we are encouraging people, please do not enter these floodwaters,' Mr Waddell said.
'It is a really dangerous, once-in-a-lifetime event and there has been some tragedies [with] these deaths.'
The first victim of the flood crisis has been identified as 63-year-old Moto farmer David Knowles, who heroically stayed behind at his property near Taree to protect his cattle as floodwaters rose.
Rescuers reportedly reached the home by boat on Wednesday, but Mr Knowles chose to remain with his dog and livestock. His body was later found on the verandah. Authorities believe existing medical conditions may have contributed to his death.
A second body was found in floodwaters on the Mid North Coast, after the man in his 30s became trapped while driving near Rosewood, west of Wauchope, on Wednesday night.
Emergency crews were unable to locate him during an overnight search, but his body was discovered around 8am Thursday.
Emergency crews are bracing for more heartbreak as the weather system slowly tracks south and rescue operations stretch into a fourth day.
NSW Premier Chris Minns is warning residents to brace for more heartbreak, saying the deadly crisis is far from over.
'We are not out of the woods yet,' he said.
'There is a massive amount of rain still falling on the north coast. They are a resilient community, but they will have to ride out what has been a terrible 48 hours.' NSW SES crews are winching people to safety from rooftops and surging rivers. Credit: NCA NewsWire
Mr Minns confirmed more than 140 flood warnings had been issued statewide, including 34 emergency alerts for local communities. More than 500 rescues have been carried out in just over two days, many of them preventable.
'About 30 per cent of those rescues were due to people deciding to drive through floodwaters,' he said.
'Unfortunately, the community will have to brace for more bad news,' Mr Minns said when asked about the missing people.
'This will be a difficult few days.'
In the past 24 hours alone, the SES has responded to more than 4809 incidents — including 610 flood rescues — with support from PolAir and the Australian Defence Force.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said news of the deaths were 'devastating'.
'The thoughts of all Australians are with their loved ones and the community at this time,' he said, Flooding is seen around Short Street in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Thursday, May 22, 2025. Credit: Lindsay Moller / AAPIMAGE
In Taree, dozens of familes have been pulled from rooftops while hundreds more were evacuated as rivers peaked above historic 2021 levels. In Bellingen, 337mm of rain was recorded in just 24 hours. Coffs Harbour, 321mm. Macleay River, 329mm.
'If you are under an emergency warning currently and it is safe to do so, I need you to evacuate now,' NSW SES commissioner Mike Wassing said.
'I cannot stress enough that it is important to heed the warnings of evacuations. We've already seen over the past few nights rescue conditions being difficult and dangerous, particularly at nightfall. Flooding is seen in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Thursday, May 22, 2025. Credit: Lindsay Moller / AAPIMAGE
Natural Hazards Research Australia chief executive Andrew Gissing said the flooding was the worst on record for the area, describing the deluge as a one-in-500-year event.
There have been more than 40 rescue teams active between the Hunter and Coffs Harbour.
'Our volunteers and partner agencies are working around the clock, prioritising rescues and getting help to those who need it most,' SES assistant commissioner Storey said.
'We've seen a large number of calls for assistance, and we are doing everything we can to reach people as quickly and safely as possible.'
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain confirmed the activation of the Disaster Recovery Allowance for four hard-hit local government areas: Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and MidCoast Council.
The allowance provides up to 13 weeks of income support for individuals unable to work due to the disaster. Australian Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain speaks to the media during a press conference in the National Situation Room in Canberra, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING Credit: LUKAS COCH / AAPIMAGE
Evacuation centres have been set up at locations including Dungog RSL Club, Club Gloucester, Club Taree, Manning Point Bowling Club, Wingham RSL, Bulahdelah Golf Club, Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club, Kempsey Showground, and Panthers Port Macquarie.
Meanwhile, major supermarkets have flagged potential food shortages in isolated areas. The National Coordination Mechanism has been activated to coordinate logistics and resupply efforts.
'With a number of communities along the Mid North Coast remaining on flood watch, we're continuing to closely monitor conditions and the advice of authorities to ensure the safety of our team and customers,' a Woolworths spokesperson said.
Authorities are addressing concerns over food shortages in isolated communities through the National Coordination Mechanism, with major supermarket chains already in contact with Federal officials.
The state and federal governments have activated disaster assistance for 16 local government areas, covering emergency accommodation, essential items, grants for uninsured residents, and funding for councils, businesses, and producers to help them recover.
Dozens of people have opened GoFundMe accounts to begin piecing their lives back together.
Among them are Troy and Seeana, a family of seven, who thought they'd found their dream home. But as floodwaters surged through each level of their three-storey house, the family clambered onto the roof, waiting to be winched to safety by SES crews.
Now, like so many others, they're left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Port Macquarie Airport has been closed. More than 145 schools were shut on Thursday. And despite forecasts showing the intense weather system beginning to track south, the danger isn't over.
Friday will be pivotal, as meteorologists finally begin to see a shift in the weather pattern that should ease the intensity of rainfall across NSW. The system is sliding southward, with some of that moisture expected to push inland.
The Bureau of Meteorology's latest update warns of a further 80mm to 120mm possible over 24 hours across much of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands. The heavy rainfall is expected to shift south on Friday morning, gradually easing conditions in the worst-hit areas.
For the latest warnings and evacuation advice, visit the SES website or the Bureau of Meteorology.