Latest news with #AndrewEdmunds
ABC News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Thousands remain isolated as rain continues during record NSW flooding
A massive rescue operation is continuing across the NSW Mid-North Coast today, where thousands of residents remain isolated by record flooding. SES spokesperson Andrew Edmunds said emergency service crews had carried out 379 flood rescues across the region since 5:00am yesterday. "[There are] around about 100 to 150 incidents that we are yet to get to, just because access is not really possible at the moment," he said. "In some locations we still have very fast flowing water, which makes it too dangerous to put boats on the water. "In other locations the rivers have risen to high for us to get vehicles in such as out high-clearance vehicles and of course if the weather doesn't allow us to use air assets, then that really does slow things down." An estimated 50,000 people have been warned to prepare for isolations, as widespread areas of rain, with locally intense falls, have led to new evacuation warnings across much of the region. In the Kempsey CBD, floodwater from the Macleay River has overtopped the levee and is still rising. The SES is coordinating a multi-agency response on the ground to evacuate the area, which includes several hotels. Major flooding is also expected to continue at Settlement Point, Macksville and Port Macquarie today. SES State Duty Commander, Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone, said in a statement that conditions overnight had been challenging. He said people were still waiting to be rescued in Taree, Glenthorne, Oxley Island and Moto. "Our crews have been working through the night to complete flood rescues, but our message to people still awaiting rescue, is to remain in safe locations, away from flood waters in dry locations if possible," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. "While dozens of rescues have been completed overnight, they continue to be received." Torrential rain has been recorded across the region. Almost 300 millimetres (mm) has been received at Moparrabah, west of Kempsey, since 9:00am yesterday. Other intense falls include 286mm at Bellingin, and 218 at Thora. Widespread 24-hour rainfall totals of between 100 and 150 mm are forecast again today, but higher localised totals of between 200 and 300 mm are expected in some areas. Locations which may be affected include Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo. An isolated dairy farmer from Vacy, in the Dungog Shire, was forced to dump thousands of litres of fresh milk this week due to flooding. Farmer David Williams said milk tankers could not access his property, and his cattle had been confined to sheds for days. "The [sheds are the] only dry spot left on the farm." Emergency warnings are in place for the following locations: Additional evacuation centres have opened, including at the Kempsey Showground. Across the state, centres are open at: The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecast heavy, locally intense rainfall for the Mid North Coast, and parts of the Northern Rivers, Hunter, Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes and Plains forecast districts on Thursday. The weather system is likely to deepen into a low-pressure system late Thursday or early Friday. The BOM said the system was then expected to move south towards the Far South Coast by late Friday. Essential Energy said it would begin aerial patrols around Taree on Thursday to assess the damage, as thousands of homes were without power. Essential Energy Mid North Coast operations manager Rob Ridley said workers were waiting for flood waters to reside before beginning power infrastructure repairs. "We will have aerial patrols up to give us a better view so we can get an understanding of where the faults are, and what we need to rectify," he said. The federal and state governments yesterday activated disaster assistance for communities in 16 local government areas, including: For local warnings and information visit ABC Emergency.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
Thousands isolated as flooding crisis in Australia worsens
Thousands of people have been isolated amid record-breaking flooding on the east coast Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). Heavy rainfall on Wednesday continued for a fourth consecutive day in regions over 100 km north of Sydney, exacerbating widespread flash flooding. The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said that it responded to 887 calls for assistance, including 118 flood rescues, in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning. Around 16,000 people or 7,400 dwellings in the worst-affected areas could expect to be isolated for at least a day, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) quoted SES spokesperson Andrew Edmunds as saying on Wednesday morning. SES was aware of 52 people trapped on tables, verandahs and their roofs, he added. Local power provider Essential Energy has reported about 3,700 homes and businesses, mostly in Taree, Wingham, Tinonee, Burrell Creek, Hillville and surrounds are without power. "Crews will be out again today, assessing damage and completing repairs where it is safe to do so", it said in a statement on Wednesday. Almost 100 schools in the affected areas were closed on Wednesday. NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib told Radio National Breakfast this morning that he has asked for federal support and said the Australian Defence Force is due to arrive soon to assist with rescues. SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said in a statement that authorities were deploying "every available asset" to assist with rescues, Xinhua news agency reported. "We've also had a large number of calls for help that we are still assessing how best to access those locations," he said. "We've advised those people needing assistance to move to higher ground, as we're unable to currently access by boat, road or air due to the current weather conditions." A severe weather alert from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said that some parts of the Hunter, Mid North Coast, Northern Tablelands and Northern Rivers regions recorded 20-hour rainfall totals exceeding 200 mm. It said that heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Wednesday and into Thursday for large parts of the state and could lead to "life-threatening" flooding. Senior BOM forecaster Dean Narramore told ABC television that some areas received up to 500 mm of rain in 48 hours. The water level in the Manning River at the Mid North Coast town of Taree, 250 km northeast of Sydney, on Wednesday morning surpassed the record-high set in 1929. Evacuation orders have been issued for residents in eight towns, and residents of three more towns, including Taree, have been told that it is too late to leave. Malone said that most of the rescues for people in trapped homes were being conducted in areas that were advised to evacuate on Tuesday.
The Hill
02-04-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
High waves cause damage on Sydney waterfront
SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney beachfront properties were flooded and coastal infrastructure damaged after a large swell combined with a king tide to batter the Australian shore, officials said Thursday. Several homes were evacuated at Botany Bay in Sydney's south around midnight as waves surged across the coast, according to New South Wales State Emergency Service spokesman Andrew Edmunds. Further north at Sydney's premier Bondi Beach, the coast was lashed by a 5.5-meter (18-foot) swell, officials said. Windows were shattered at Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, a waterfront pool, gymnasium and restaurant complex. CCTV footage showed waves bursting through glass doors after 11 p.m. on Tuesday. 'It has just been devastating,' club general manager Bob Tate said. 'I've been a member for 50 years at Bondi. I've never seen this sort of thing before. You know, the sheer magnitude of the level of water and the power of the water coming through must've just been horrendous.' Tate added that on the pool deck around 15 glass panels were splintered, floors were damaged, and cupboards and firehoses were ripped off the walls. It was 'quite extraordinary,' he said. South of Botany Bay at Cronulla Beach, lifeguard Steve Winner said the beach, along with parts of the pavement behind it and electrical infrastructure, had been damaged by 4-meter (13-foot) waves. Authorities warned on Thursday of further hazardous surf with the potential to cause coastal erosion and damage from the Illawarra region south of Sydney to the Hunter region north of Sydney.
Arab News
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
High waves cause damage on Sydney waterfront
SYDNEY: Sydney beachfront properties were flooded and coastal infrastructure damaged after a large swell combined with a king tide to batter the Australian shore, officials said Thursday. Several homes were evacuated at Botany Bay in Sydney's south around midnight as waves surged across the coast, according to New South Wales State Emergency Service spokesman Andrew Edmunds. Further north at Sydney's premier Bondi Beach, the coast was lashed by a 5.5-meter (18-foot) swell, officials said. Windows were shattered at Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, a waterfront pool, gymnasium and restaurant complex. CCTV footage showed waves bursting through glass doors after 11 p.m. on Tuesday. 'It has just been devastating,' club general manager Bob Tate said. 'I've been a member for 50 years at Bondi. I've never seen this sort of thing before. You know, the sheer magnitude of the level of water and the power of the water coming through must've just been horrendous.' Tate added that on the pool deck around 15 glass panels were splintered, floors were damaged, and cupboards and firehoses were ripped off the walls. It was 'quite extraordinary,' he said. South of Botany Bay at Cronulla Beach, lifeguard Steve Winner said the beach, along with parts of the pavement behind it and electrical infrastructure, had been damaged by 4-meter (13-foot) waves. Authorities warned on Thursday of further hazardous surf with the potential to cause coastal erosion and damage from the Illawarra region south of Sydney to the Hunter region north of Sydney.
Washington Post
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
High waves cause damage on Sydney waterfront
SYDNEY — Sydney beachfront properties were flooded and coastal infrastructure damaged after a large swell combined with a king tide to batter the Australian shore, officials said Thursday. Several homes were evacuated at Botany Bay in Sydney's south around midnight as waves surged across the coast, according to New South Wales State Emergency Service spokesman Andrew Edmunds.
