Fatal floods keeping Beijing on edge as more rain looms
Up to 200mm of rain could hit parts of Beijing over a six-hour period from midday, weather forecasters warned on Monday. The city of 22 million people receives on average 600mm of rainfall each year.
The alert comes as authorities rush to reinforce ageing flood defences, fine-tune weather forecasts and update evacuation plans amid reports of bodies being pulled from raging flood waters across the country, including at least three at a flooded wellness camp in Hebei province.
Late last month, at least 44 people died in Beijing after days of heavy rains.
Most of the dead were unexpectedly trapped by rapidly rising waters at a nursing home in Miyun district on the city's northeastern outskirts.
The fatalities led authorities to admit to shortcomings in their contingency plans for extreme weather.
On Monday, Beijing had seven of its 16 districts on the highest level of preparedness for flood prevention - Mentougou, Fangshan, Fengtai, Shijingshan, Huairou, Miyun and Yanqing - most of which lie in mountainous areas to the west and north of the city.
The risk of flash floods and landslides is "extremely high", authorities said.
In the summer of 2012, 79 people died in Beijing in the city's deadliest flooding in living memory. Fangshan district was the worst-hit, with one resident reporting a rise in floodwaters of 1.3 metres in just 10 minutes.
Beijing's topography has been described by some as a rain "trap", with its mountains to the west and north capturing moist air and amplifying any ensuing rainfall as a result.
As of Saturday, torrential rains that swept through "Beijing Valley", a riverside wellness retreat in the Hebei city of Chengde adjacent to Beijing, had claimed three lives, with four still missing, China's state news agency Xinhua reported.
Around 40 people had gathered on July 27 for an event at the site, where organisers directed them into tents pitched on low-lying land next to a river bend, Caixin Media reported.
By 2am the next morning, floodwaters had risen to knee height, forcing attendees to scramble towards the camp's only exit.
The site bore similarities to Camp Mystic in Texas, where at least 28 children were swept to their deaths last month by floodwaters after the Guadalupe River burst its banks amid torrential rain.
In China's southern Guangdong province over the weekend, the bodies of five people were recovered after a large-scale search operation involving more than 1300 rescuers.
The five people, who went missing on Friday night, were "swept away by water" following heavy rainfall in recent days, Xinhua reported.
People living in Beijing's mountainous suburbs have been warned to brace for another round of heavy rain, a week after catastrophic floods killed dozens in the deadliest deluge to hit the Chinese capital since 2012.
Up to 200mm of rain could hit parts of Beijing over a six-hour period from midday, weather forecasters warned on Monday. The city of 22 million people receives on average 600mm of rainfall each year.
The alert comes as authorities rush to reinforce ageing flood defences, fine-tune weather forecasts and update evacuation plans amid reports of bodies being pulled from raging flood waters across the country, including at least three at a flooded wellness camp in Hebei province.
Late last month, at least 44 people died in Beijing after days of heavy rains.
Most of the dead were unexpectedly trapped by rapidly rising waters at a nursing home in Miyun district on the city's northeastern outskirts.
The fatalities led authorities to admit to shortcomings in their contingency plans for extreme weather.
On Monday, Beijing had seven of its 16 districts on the highest level of preparedness for flood prevention - Mentougou, Fangshan, Fengtai, Shijingshan, Huairou, Miyun and Yanqing - most of which lie in mountainous areas to the west and north of the city.
The risk of flash floods and landslides is "extremely high", authorities said.
In the summer of 2012, 79 people died in Beijing in the city's deadliest flooding in living memory. Fangshan district was the worst-hit, with one resident reporting a rise in floodwaters of 1.3 metres in just 10 minutes.
Beijing's topography has been described by some as a rain "trap", with its mountains to the west and north capturing moist air and amplifying any ensuing rainfall as a result.
As of Saturday, torrential rains that swept through "Beijing Valley", a riverside wellness retreat in the Hebei city of Chengde adjacent to Beijing, had claimed three lives, with four still missing, China's state news agency Xinhua reported.
Around 40 people had gathered on July 27 for an event at the site, where organisers directed them into tents pitched on low-lying land next to a river bend, Caixin Media reported.
By 2am the next morning, floodwaters had risen to knee height, forcing attendees to scramble towards the camp's only exit.
The site bore similarities to Camp Mystic in Texas, where at least 28 children were swept to their deaths last month by floodwaters after the Guadalupe River burst its banks amid torrential rain.
In China's southern Guangdong province over the weekend, the bodies of five people were recovered after a large-scale search operation involving more than 1300 rescuers.
The five people, who went missing on Friday night, were "swept away by water" following heavy rainfall in recent days, Xinhua reported.
People living in Beijing's mountainous suburbs have been warned to brace for another round of heavy rain, a week after catastrophic floods killed dozens in the deadliest deluge to hit the Chinese capital since 2012.
Up to 200mm of rain could hit parts of Beijing over a six-hour period from midday, weather forecasters warned on Monday. The city of 22 million people receives on average 600mm of rainfall each year.
The alert comes as authorities rush to reinforce ageing flood defences, fine-tune weather forecasts and update evacuation plans amid reports of bodies being pulled from raging flood waters across the country, including at least three at a flooded wellness camp in Hebei province.
Late last month, at least 44 people died in Beijing after days of heavy rains.
Most of the dead were unexpectedly trapped by rapidly rising waters at a nursing home in Miyun district on the city's northeastern outskirts.
The fatalities led authorities to admit to shortcomings in their contingency plans for extreme weather.
On Monday, Beijing had seven of its 16 districts on the highest level of preparedness for flood prevention - Mentougou, Fangshan, Fengtai, Shijingshan, Huairou, Miyun and Yanqing - most of which lie in mountainous areas to the west and north of the city.
The risk of flash floods and landslides is "extremely high", authorities said.
In the summer of 2012, 79 people died in Beijing in the city's deadliest flooding in living memory. Fangshan district was the worst-hit, with one resident reporting a rise in floodwaters of 1.3 metres in just 10 minutes.
Beijing's topography has been described by some as a rain "trap", with its mountains to the west and north capturing moist air and amplifying any ensuing rainfall as a result.
As of Saturday, torrential rains that swept through "Beijing Valley", a riverside wellness retreat in the Hebei city of Chengde adjacent to Beijing, had claimed three lives, with four still missing, China's state news agency Xinhua reported.
Around 40 people had gathered on July 27 for an event at the site, where organisers directed them into tents pitched on low-lying land next to a river bend, Caixin Media reported.
By 2am the next morning, floodwaters had risen to knee height, forcing attendees to scramble towards the camp's only exit.
The site bore similarities to Camp Mystic in Texas, where at least 28 children were swept to their deaths last month by floodwaters after the Guadalupe River burst its banks amid torrential rain.
In China's southern Guangdong province over the weekend, the bodies of five people were recovered after a large-scale search operation involving more than 1300 rescuers.
The five people, who went missing on Friday night, were "swept away by water" following heavy rainfall in recent days, Xinhua reported.
People living in Beijing's mountainous suburbs have been warned to brace for another round of heavy rain, a week after catastrophic floods killed dozens in the deadliest deluge to hit the Chinese capital since 2012.
Up to 200mm of rain could hit parts of Beijing over a six-hour period from midday, weather forecasters warned on Monday. The city of 22 million people receives on average 600mm of rainfall each year.
The alert comes as authorities rush to reinforce ageing flood defences, fine-tune weather forecasts and update evacuation plans amid reports of bodies being pulled from raging flood waters across the country, including at least three at a flooded wellness camp in Hebei province.
Late last month, at least 44 people died in Beijing after days of heavy rains.
Most of the dead were unexpectedly trapped by rapidly rising waters at a nursing home in Miyun district on the city's northeastern outskirts.
The fatalities led authorities to admit to shortcomings in their contingency plans for extreme weather.
On Monday, Beijing had seven of its 16 districts on the highest level of preparedness for flood prevention - Mentougou, Fangshan, Fengtai, Shijingshan, Huairou, Miyun and Yanqing - most of which lie in mountainous areas to the west and north of the city.
The risk of flash floods and landslides is "extremely high", authorities said.
In the summer of 2012, 79 people died in Beijing in the city's deadliest flooding in living memory. Fangshan district was the worst-hit, with one resident reporting a rise in floodwaters of 1.3 metres in just 10 minutes.
Beijing's topography has been described by some as a rain "trap", with its mountains to the west and north capturing moist air and amplifying any ensuing rainfall as a result.
As of Saturday, torrential rains that swept through "Beijing Valley", a riverside wellness retreat in the Hebei city of Chengde adjacent to Beijing, had claimed three lives, with four still missing, China's state news agency Xinhua reported.
Around 40 people had gathered on July 27 for an event at the site, where organisers directed them into tents pitched on low-lying land next to a river bend, Caixin Media reported.
By 2am the next morning, floodwaters had risen to knee height, forcing attendees to scramble towards the camp's only exit.
The site bore similarities to Camp Mystic in Texas, where at least 28 children were swept to their deaths last month by floodwaters after the Guadalupe River burst its banks amid torrential rain.
In China's southern Guangdong province over the weekend, the bodies of five people were recovered after a large-scale search operation involving more than 1300 rescuers.
The five people, who went missing on Friday night, were "swept away by water" following heavy rainfall in recent days, Xinhua reported.
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The Advertiser
19 hours 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
19 hours 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.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Xi orders rescue after floods kill 10 in China's Gansu
China's President Xi Jinping has ordered "all-out" rescue efforts after flash floods triggered by torrential rain killed 10 people and left 33 missing in the northwestern province of Gansu. Central parts of Gansu including cities of Lanzhou, Linxia, and Baiyin, experienced heavy rainfall on Thursday night, triggering landslides with mud and debris covering roads and leaving people stranded, state broadcaster CCTV intense rainfall also damaged power and communications in the Xinglong mountain area, stranding over 4000 people across four villages and more than 1300 Friday, 195mm of rain was recorded in the Xinglong area, according to Lanzhou local has suffered weeks of atmospheric chaos since July, battered by heavier-than-usual downpours with the East Asian monsoon stalling over its north and south. Weather experts link the shifting pattern to climate change, testing officials as flash floods displace thousands and threaten billions of dollars in economic losses. On Tuesday, Beijing allocated more than one billion yuan ($A213 million) in disaster relief for Guangdong and the northern province of Hebei, as well as the capital, Beijing, and the northern region of Inner Mongolia, state news agency Xinhua said, including subsidies for damage to grain-growing areas. "The rains will drive up prices for fresh fruits and vegetables," said Dan Wang, a China expert at Eurasia Group. While some farmers might be able to exploit the situation to their benefit, agricultural losses would hit incomes as a whole, she added. Even e-commerce may not be immune, as a landslide north of Guangzhou early on Wednesday hit 'Taobao Village', a community where many households run shops on China's Alibaba platform, trapping 14 people, with half the number still missing. Across the province, 16 rivers threaten to breach their banks, with water levels at two sites reaching their highest since 2017 and 2018. But the worst may be yet to come, with two to three typhoons expected to strike in August, emergency management authorities. The city of Foshan west of Guangzhou has been the epicentre of the province's chikungunya outbreak, while at least a dozen more have reported infections, which typically cause fever and severe joint pain, though deaths are rare. The next few weeks are especially daunting for disease prevention and control, say provincial authorities, after the flood season, worsened by typhoons and heavy rain, boosted mosquito activity. Spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, global infections of the disease number at least 240,000 this year.
