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The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Fourth body found in floodwaters as tens of thousands left stranded
The body of a fourth person has been discovered as emergency services continue to battle record-breaking floods in NSW for the sixth straight day. A man, believed to be in his 70s, was found after his car ran off the road at Nana Glen, north-west of Coffs Harbour, on May 23, police said. On May 22, the body of a 60-year-old woman was pulled from her car while driving to Coffs Harbour. The body of a man aged in his 30s was also discovered at Rosewood near Wauchope, while David Knowles, 63, from Moto, north east of Taree, was also found dead in his home. A 49-year-old man who reportedly walked into floodwaters at Nymboida, about 40km south of Grafton, is still missing. The 60-year-old woman, whose body was pulled from floodwaters on May 22, was told to "continue with caution" just half an hour before her four-wheel-drive was overcome in the deluge. A police officer gave her his phone number after warning her not to enter floodwaters, but 30 minutes later, she called for help. Travelling from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, the woman had taken a detour to avoid road closures on the Pacific Highway. NSW Police Northern Commander David Waddell said the woman had spoken to a police officer just west of Dorrigo at about 7pm on May 21. "They travelled in convoy. As they travelled towards Coffs Harbour, they reached some floodwaters at Coramba Road, which is near Wild Cattle Creek bridge," he told reporters in Newcastle. "But he, driving the BMW, decided to go back." The water she later drove into "was obviously faster flowing and deeper water", he said. It was not until the next day that rescuers were able to find her body near Brooklana on the Lower Bobo Road, west of Coffs Harbour. "We've located a woman in her vehicle, deceased," Assistant Commissioner Waddell said. Her family had been notified, and the death was being investigated by Coffs Harbour detectives, while the police officer involved was receiving assistance. "Obviously, the police officer who spoke to the woman is very traumatised and we're wrapping support services around him," he said. "It's just a tragic circumstance." Tributes have poured in for David Knowles, the first victim identified from the floods. Mr Knowles had stayed at his property on North Moto Road near Taree to look after his cattle as the waters rose. Mr Knowles's daughter said her father died a hero. She said he had also been approached by an SES evacuation crew on May 21 but directed the crew to another family further upstream. "He didn't want to leave his farm on a good day," she said. "We all couldn't be prouder of you Dad. We love you." The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, wrote on X that Mr Knowles' death was "devastating". "The thoughts of all Australians are with his loved ones and the community at this time," he wrote. Emergency warnings advising people to evacuate or seek shelter remain in place in many locations from Bellingen in the north to Paterson in the south. There were 153 flood warnings active in the affected Hunter and mid north coast regions on the morning of May 23 - 40 of those at emergency level. More than 48,000 people are isolated due to floodwaters. Around 5700 households and businesses are without power. A full list of warnings can be found on the SES website. NSW SES State Duty Commander Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said while the rain will start to ease later today, the risk from flooding is far from over. "We may see renewed rises as water from earlier heavy falls makes its way downstream," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. A priority for today will be commencing resupplying isolated communities, he said. NSW SES has begun using helicopters to transport boats and equipment, with planning underway to commence bulk resupply. Conditions across the mid north coast were expected to ease by May 23, with the focus of the rainfall shifting to parts of the Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and southern Hunter. Heavy rainfall is possible in parts of the Central Coast, including Newcastle and Gosford. Residents in Newcastle and the Central Coast have been advised to stay indoors due to intense rainfall. As the weather system moves south from the mid north coast, the SES is warning of the risk of flash flooding, storm-related incidents and minor flooding on the Colo, Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers. The Nepean Dam is currently spilling, and it is possible the Warragamba Dam may spill sometime Friday or Saturday. "The real risk over the next 24 hours is flash flooding, with heavy rainfall totals between 60 and 100mm possible," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. "Roads may become cut quickly and without warning. We ask the community to remain vigilant and never drive through flooded areas." Heavy rainfall is expected to extend further south to the Southern Tablelands and inland South Coast later on Friday. which may be affected include Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat. Communities along the Warrego and Darling Rivers may experience minor flooding for weeks, the SES warned. READ MORE: Young family rescued after pleading for help from rising floodwaters Across the affected regions, 168 schools are closed across the state. Since May 21 11 TAFE NSW campuses have also been closed, including Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree. A total of 168 early childhood services are also shut across NSW. Sixteen schools reopened on May 23. A full list of school closures can be found here. The Albanese and Minns governments activated disaster recovery allowances for 16 local government areas. This applies to Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter. The federal government also confirmed disaster recovery allowance payments would be available to people affected by heavy rains in the council areas of Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and MidCoast. The financial support was available to workers who lost income, such as those who were unable to go to work or whose employer had to cease operating. The Pacific Highway is closed in both directions between Coopernook and Purfleet, near Taree. The Oxley Highway is closed between Thrumster and Wauchope, as well as at Rosewood, Long Flat and Mount Seaview. Giinagay Way is closed between North Macksville and Nambucca Heads. Waterfall Way is closed between Bellingen and Raleigh, and between Dorrigo Mountain and Thora. Failford Road is closed between The Lakes Way and the Pacific Highway at Failford. South of Sydney, the Illawarra Highway is closed on Macquarie Pass. A full list of road closures can be found at Live Traffic NSW. Trains are not running between Morisset and Newcastle Interchange on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line due to flooding on the tracks at Cockle Creek. No trains are running on the Hunter Line due to flooding at Sandgate. Limited replacement buses are running on both lines, however they are unable to access some stations due to flooding. Dungog RSL Club Club Gloucesters Club Taree Manning Point Bowling Club Wingham RSL Bulahdelah Golf Club Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Kempsey Showground Panthers Port Macquarie Coffs Harbour Urunga CEX Nambucca RSL Club Old Bar Bowling Club Wauchope Showground Coopernook Hall. Bellingen Memorial Hall SES 132 500 Triple zero 000 Service NSW 13 77 88 BoM warnings The body of a fourth person has been discovered as emergency services continue to battle record-breaking floods in NSW for the sixth straight day. A man, believed to be in his 70s, was found after his car ran off the road at Nana Glen, north-west of Coffs Harbour, on May 23, police said. On May 22, the body of a 60-year-old woman was pulled from her car while driving to Coffs Harbour. The body of a man aged in his 30s was also discovered at Rosewood near Wauchope, while David Knowles, 63, from Moto, north east of Taree, was also found dead in his home. A 49-year-old man who reportedly walked into floodwaters at Nymboida, about 40km south of Grafton, is still missing. The 60-year-old woman, whose body was pulled from floodwaters on May 22, was told to "continue with caution" just half an hour before her four-wheel-drive was overcome in the deluge. A police officer gave her his phone number after warning her not to enter floodwaters, but 30 minutes later, she called for help. Travelling from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, the woman had taken a detour to avoid road closures on the Pacific Highway. NSW Police Northern Commander David Waddell said the woman had spoken to a police officer just west of Dorrigo at about 7pm on May 21. "They travelled in convoy. As they travelled towards Coffs Harbour, they reached some floodwaters at Coramba Road, which is near Wild Cattle Creek bridge," he told reporters in Newcastle. "But he, driving the BMW, decided to go back." The water she later drove into "was obviously faster flowing and deeper water", he said. It was not until the next day that rescuers were able to find her body near Brooklana on the Lower Bobo Road, west of Coffs Harbour. "We've located a woman in her vehicle, deceased," Assistant Commissioner Waddell said. Her family had been notified, and the death was being investigated by Coffs Harbour detectives, while the police officer involved was receiving assistance. "Obviously, the police officer who spoke to the woman is very traumatised and we're wrapping support services around him," he said. "It's just a tragic circumstance." Tributes have poured in for David Knowles, the first victim identified from the floods. Mr Knowles had stayed at his property on North Moto Road near Taree to look after his cattle as the waters rose. Mr Knowles's daughter said her father died a hero. She said he had also been approached by an SES evacuation crew on May 21 but directed the crew to another family further upstream. "He didn't want to leave his farm on a good day," she said. "We all couldn't be prouder of you Dad. We love you." The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, wrote on X that Mr Knowles' death was "devastating". "The thoughts of all Australians are with his loved ones and the community at this time," he wrote. Emergency warnings advising people to evacuate or seek shelter remain in place in many locations from Bellingen in the north to Paterson in the south. There were 153 flood warnings active in the affected Hunter and mid north coast regions on the morning of May 23 - 40 of those at emergency level. More than 48,000 people are isolated due to floodwaters. Around 5700 households and businesses are without power. A full list of warnings can be found on the SES website. NSW SES State Duty Commander Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said while the rain will start to ease later today, the risk from flooding is far from over. "We may see renewed rises as water from earlier heavy falls makes its way downstream," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. A priority for today will be commencing resupplying isolated communities, he said. NSW SES has begun using helicopters to transport boats and equipment, with planning underway to commence bulk resupply. Conditions across the mid north coast were expected to ease by May 23, with the focus of the rainfall shifting to parts of the Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and southern Hunter. Heavy rainfall is possible in parts of the Central Coast, including Newcastle and Gosford. Residents in Newcastle and the Central Coast have been advised to stay indoors due to intense rainfall. As the weather system moves south from the mid north coast, the SES is warning of the risk of flash flooding, storm-related incidents and minor flooding on the Colo, Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers. The Nepean Dam is currently spilling, and it is possible the Warragamba Dam may spill sometime Friday or Saturday. "The real risk over the next 24 hours is flash flooding, with heavy rainfall totals between 60 and 100mm possible," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. "Roads may become cut quickly and without warning. We ask the community to remain vigilant and never drive through flooded areas." Heavy rainfall is expected to extend further south to the Southern Tablelands and inland South Coast later on Friday. which may be affected include Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat. Communities along the Warrego and Darling Rivers may experience minor flooding for weeks, the SES warned. READ MORE: Young family rescued after pleading for help from rising floodwaters Across the affected regions, 168 schools are closed across the state. Since May 21 11 TAFE NSW campuses have also been closed, including Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree. A total of 168 early childhood services are also shut across NSW. Sixteen schools reopened on May 23. A full list of school closures can be found here. The Albanese and Minns governments activated disaster recovery allowances for 16 local government areas. This applies to Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter. The federal government also confirmed disaster recovery allowance payments would be available to people affected by heavy rains in the council areas of Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and MidCoast. The financial support was available to workers who lost income, such as those who were unable to go to work or whose employer had to cease operating. The Pacific Highway is closed in both directions between Coopernook and Purfleet, near Taree. The Oxley Highway is closed between Thrumster and Wauchope, as well as at Rosewood, Long Flat and Mount Seaview. Giinagay Way is closed between North Macksville and Nambucca Heads. Waterfall Way is closed between Bellingen and Raleigh, and between Dorrigo Mountain and Thora. Failford Road is closed between The Lakes Way and the Pacific Highway at Failford. South of Sydney, the Illawarra Highway is closed on Macquarie Pass. A full list of road closures can be found at Live Traffic NSW. Trains are not running between Morisset and Newcastle Interchange on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line due to flooding on the tracks at Cockle Creek. No trains are running on the Hunter Line due to flooding at Sandgate. Limited replacement buses are running on both lines, however they are unable to access some stations due to flooding. Dungog RSL Club Club Gloucesters Club Taree Manning Point Bowling Club Wingham RSL Bulahdelah Golf Club Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Kempsey Showground Panthers Port Macquarie Coffs Harbour Urunga CEX Nambucca RSL Club Old Bar Bowling Club Wauchope Showground Coopernook Hall. Bellingen Memorial Hall SES 132 500 Triple zero 000 Service NSW 13 77 88 BoM warnings The body of a fourth person has been discovered as emergency services continue to battle record-breaking floods in NSW for the sixth straight day. A man, believed to be in his 70s, was found after his car ran off the road at Nana Glen, north-west of Coffs Harbour, on May 23, police said. On May 22, the body of a 60-year-old woman was pulled from her car while driving to Coffs Harbour. The body of a man aged in his 30s was also discovered at Rosewood near Wauchope, while David Knowles, 63, from Moto, north east of Taree, was also found dead in his home. A 49-year-old man who reportedly walked into floodwaters at Nymboida, about 40km south of Grafton, is still missing. The 60-year-old woman, whose body was pulled from floodwaters on May 22, was told to "continue with caution" just half an hour before her four-wheel-drive was overcome in the deluge. A police officer gave her his phone number after warning her not to enter floodwaters, but 30 minutes later, she called for help. Travelling from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, the woman had taken a detour to avoid road closures on the Pacific Highway. NSW Police Northern Commander David Waddell said the woman had spoken to a police officer just west of Dorrigo at about 7pm on May 21. "They travelled in convoy. As they travelled towards Coffs Harbour, they reached some floodwaters at Coramba Road, which is near Wild Cattle Creek bridge," he told reporters in Newcastle. "But he, driving the BMW, decided to go back." The water she later drove into "was obviously faster flowing and deeper water", he said. It was not until the next day that rescuers were able to find her body near Brooklana on the Lower Bobo Road, west of Coffs Harbour. "We've located a woman in her vehicle, deceased," Assistant Commissioner Waddell said. Her family had been notified, and the death was being investigated by Coffs Harbour detectives, while the police officer involved was receiving assistance. "Obviously, the police officer who spoke to the woman is very traumatised and we're wrapping support services around him," he said. "It's just a tragic circumstance." Tributes have poured in for David Knowles, the first victim identified from the floods. Mr Knowles had stayed at his property on North Moto Road near Taree to look after his cattle as the waters rose. Mr Knowles's daughter said her father died a hero. She said he had also been approached by an SES evacuation crew on May 21 but directed the crew to another family further upstream. "He didn't want to leave his farm on a good day," she said. "We all couldn't be prouder of you Dad. We love you." The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, wrote on X that Mr Knowles' death was "devastating". "The thoughts of all Australians are with his loved ones and the community at this time," he wrote. Emergency warnings advising people to evacuate or seek shelter remain in place in many locations from Bellingen in the north to Paterson in the south. There were 153 flood warnings active in the affected Hunter and mid north coast regions on the morning of May 23 - 40 of those at emergency level. More than 48,000 people are isolated due to floodwaters. Around 5700 households and businesses are without power. A full list of warnings can be found on the SES website. NSW SES State Duty Commander Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said while the rain will start to ease later today, the risk from flooding is far from over. "We may see renewed rises as water from earlier heavy falls makes its way downstream," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. A priority for today will be commencing resupplying isolated communities, he said. NSW SES has begun using helicopters to transport boats and equipment, with planning underway to commence bulk resupply. Conditions across the mid north coast were expected to ease by May 23, with the focus of the rainfall shifting to parts of the Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and southern Hunter. Heavy rainfall is possible in parts of the Central Coast, including Newcastle and Gosford. Residents in Newcastle and the Central Coast have been advised to stay indoors due to intense rainfall. As the weather system moves south from the mid north coast, the SES is warning of the risk of flash flooding, storm-related incidents and minor flooding on the Colo, Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers. The Nepean Dam is currently spilling, and it is possible the Warragamba Dam may spill sometime Friday or Saturday. "The real risk over the next 24 hours is flash flooding, with heavy rainfall totals between 60 and 100mm possible," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. "Roads may become cut quickly and without warning. We ask the community to remain vigilant and never drive through flooded areas." Heavy rainfall is expected to extend further south to the Southern Tablelands and inland South Coast later on Friday. which may be affected include Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat. Communities along the Warrego and Darling Rivers may experience minor flooding for weeks, the SES warned. READ MORE: Young family rescued after pleading for help from rising floodwaters Across the affected regions, 168 schools are closed across the state. Since May 21 11 TAFE NSW campuses have also been closed, including Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree. A total of 168 early childhood services are also shut across NSW. Sixteen schools reopened on May 23. A full list of school closures can be found here. The Albanese and Minns governments activated disaster recovery allowances for 16 local government areas. This applies to Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter. The federal government also confirmed disaster recovery allowance payments would be available to people affected by heavy rains in the council areas of Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and MidCoast. The financial support was available to workers who lost income, such as those who were unable to go to work or whose employer had to cease operating. The Pacific Highway is closed in both directions between Coopernook and Purfleet, near Taree. The Oxley Highway is closed between Thrumster and Wauchope, as well as at Rosewood, Long Flat and Mount Seaview. Giinagay Way is closed between North Macksville and Nambucca Heads. Waterfall Way is closed between Bellingen and Raleigh, and between Dorrigo Mountain and Thora. Failford Road is closed between The Lakes Way and the Pacific Highway at Failford. South of Sydney, the Illawarra Highway is closed on Macquarie Pass. A full list of road closures can be found at Live Traffic NSW. Trains are not running between Morisset and Newcastle Interchange on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line due to flooding on the tracks at Cockle Creek. No trains are running on the Hunter Line due to flooding at Sandgate. Limited replacement buses are running on both lines, however they are unable to access some stations due to flooding. Dungog RSL Club Club Gloucesters Club Taree Manning Point Bowling Club Wingham RSL Bulahdelah Golf Club Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Kempsey Showground Panthers Port Macquarie Coffs Harbour Urunga CEX Nambucca RSL Club Old Bar Bowling Club Wauchope Showground Coopernook Hall. Bellingen Memorial Hall SES 132 500 Triple zero 000 Service NSW 13 77 88 BoM warnings The body of a fourth person has been discovered as emergency services continue to battle record-breaking floods in NSW for the sixth straight day. A man, believed to be in his 70s, was found after his car ran off the road at Nana Glen, north-west of Coffs Harbour, on May 23, police said. On May 22, the body of a 60-year-old woman was pulled from her car while driving to Coffs Harbour. The body of a man aged in his 30s was also discovered at Rosewood near Wauchope, while David Knowles, 63, from Moto, north east of Taree, was also found dead in his home. A 49-year-old man who reportedly walked into floodwaters at Nymboida, about 40km south of Grafton, is still missing. The 60-year-old woman, whose body was pulled from floodwaters on May 22, was told to "continue with caution" just half an hour before her four-wheel-drive was overcome in the deluge. A police officer gave her his phone number after warning her not to enter floodwaters, but 30 minutes later, she called for help. Travelling from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, the woman had taken a detour to avoid road closures on the Pacific Highway. NSW Police Northern Commander David Waddell said the woman had spoken to a police officer just west of Dorrigo at about 7pm on May 21. "They travelled in convoy. As they travelled towards Coffs Harbour, they reached some floodwaters at Coramba Road, which is near Wild Cattle Creek bridge," he told reporters in Newcastle. "But he, driving the BMW, decided to go back." The water she later drove into "was obviously faster flowing and deeper water", he said. It was not until the next day that rescuers were able to find her body near Brooklana on the Lower Bobo Road, west of Coffs Harbour. "We've located a woman in her vehicle, deceased," Assistant Commissioner Waddell said. Her family had been notified, and the death was being investigated by Coffs Harbour detectives, while the police officer involved was receiving assistance. "Obviously, the police officer who spoke to the woman is very traumatised and we're wrapping support services around him," he said. "It's just a tragic circumstance." Tributes have poured in for David Knowles, the first victim identified from the floods. Mr Knowles had stayed at his property on North Moto Road near Taree to look after his cattle as the waters rose. Mr Knowles's daughter said her father died a hero. She said he had also been approached by an SES evacuation crew on May 21 but directed the crew to another family further upstream. "He didn't want to leave his farm on a good day," she said. "We all couldn't be prouder of you Dad. We love you." The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, wrote on X that Mr Knowles' death was "devastating". "The thoughts of all Australians are with his loved ones and the community at this time," he wrote. Emergency warnings advising people to evacuate or seek shelter remain in place in many locations from Bellingen in the north to Paterson in the south. There were 153 flood warnings active in the affected Hunter and mid north coast regions on the morning of May 23 - 40 of those at emergency level. More than 48,000 people are isolated due to floodwaters. Around 5700 households and businesses are without power. A full list of warnings can be found on the SES website. NSW SES State Duty Commander Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said while the rain will start to ease later today, the risk from flooding is far from over. "We may see renewed rises as water from earlier heavy falls makes its way downstream," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. A priority for today will be commencing resupplying isolated communities, he said. NSW SES has begun using helicopters to transport boats and equipment, with planning underway to commence bulk resupply. Conditions across the mid north coast were expected to ease by May 23, with the focus of the rainfall shifting to parts of the Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and southern Hunter. Heavy rainfall is possible in parts of the Central Coast, including Newcastle and Gosford. Residents in Newcastle and the Central Coast have been advised to stay indoors due to intense rainfall. As the weather system moves south from the mid north coast, the SES is warning of the risk of flash flooding, storm-related incidents and minor flooding on the Colo, Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers. The Nepean Dam is currently spilling, and it is possible the Warragamba Dam may spill sometime Friday or Saturday. "The real risk over the next 24 hours is flash flooding, with heavy rainfall totals between 60 and 100mm possible," Assistant Commissioner Malone said. "Roads may become cut quickly and without warning. We ask the community to remain vigilant and never drive through flooded areas." Heavy rainfall is expected to extend further south to the Southern Tablelands and inland South Coast later on Friday. which may be affected include Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat. Communities along the Warrego and Darling Rivers may experience minor flooding for weeks, the SES warned. READ MORE: Young family rescued after pleading for help from rising floodwaters Across the affected regions, 168 schools are closed across the state. Since May 21 11 TAFE NSW campuses have also been closed, including Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree. A total of 168 early childhood services are also shut across NSW. Sixteen schools reopened on May 23. A full list of school closures can be found here. The Albanese and Minns governments activated disaster recovery allowances for 16 local government areas. This applies to Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter. The federal government also confirmed disaster recovery allowance payments would be available to people affected by heavy rains in the council areas of Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and MidCoast. The financial support was available to workers who lost income, such as those who were unable to go to work or whose employer had to cease operating. The Pacific Highway is closed in both directions between Coopernook and Purfleet, near Taree. The Oxley Highway is closed between Thrumster and Wauchope, as well as at Rosewood, Long Flat and Mount Seaview. Giinagay Way is closed between North Macksville and Nambucca Heads. Waterfall Way is closed between Bellingen and Raleigh, and between Dorrigo Mountain and Thora. Failford Road is closed between The Lakes Way and the Pacific Highway at Failford. South of Sydney, the Illawarra Highway is closed on Macquarie Pass. A full list of road closures can be found at Live Traffic NSW. Trains are not running between Morisset and Newcastle Interchange on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line due to flooding on the tracks at Cockle Creek. No trains are running on the Hunter Line due to flooding at Sandgate. Limited replacement buses are running on both lines, however they are unable to access some stations due to flooding. Dungog RSL Club Club Gloucesters Club Taree Manning Point Bowling Club Wingham RSL Bulahdelah Golf Club Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Kempsey Showground Panthers Port Macquarie Coffs Harbour Urunga CEX Nambucca RSL Club Old Bar Bowling Club Wauchope Showground Coopernook Hall. Bellingen Memorial Hall SES 132 500 Triple zero 000 Service NSW 13 77 88 BoM warnings
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Perth Now
Tragic circumstances of flood victims' deaths revealed
The death toll from the floods ravaging NSW has risen to four, with three of those people found dead trapped in their cars. Fears are also held for a fifth person who is still missing. The family of the first victim has paid tribute after his selfless act as flood waters rose, while police have revealed the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of the other three people, who are yet to be identified. NSW Water Police carry out a rescue in Taree. Credit: Unknown / State of NSW (NSW Police Force) Farmer David Knowles, 63, was the first confirmed victim of the floods after his property was inundated by the floods in the state's Mid North Coast. Mr Knowles had heroically stayed behind at his property near Taree to protect his cattle as floodwaters rose. His daughter Stacey Hurrell told the Daily Mail that her father's best friend, Wayne Drury, had led a team of rescuers to the family property. But instead of taking a spot in the limited number of lifeboats, Mr Knowles asked rescuers to find and rescue his family instead. 'He was a man with the biggest heart,' she said. 'He'd give you his last dollars.' David Knowles, centre, was found dead in floodwater at Moto in NSW. Credit: Supplied / Supplied Authorities were called to the property at North Moto Road, Moto, about 3pm on Wednesday following reports of a body being found. His body was later found on the verandah. Authorities believe existing medical conditions may have contributed to his death. Ms Hurrell and his other daughter Roxy have paid tribute to their father, writing: 'Dad passed as a hero yesterday, sending help away to save others.' 'He didn't want to leave his farm on a good day. 'We all couldn't be prouder of you, Dad. 'We love you.' The body of a 34-year-old man was recovered from flood waters on the Mid North Coast on Thursday morning. Emergency services were called to the intersection of the Oxley Highway and Huntingdon Road near Rosewood, about 4km west of Wauchope, about 8.50pm on Wednesday following reports a man had become stuck in floodwater while driving but officers were unable to locate him or the vehicle. His body was found at 8am the next morning. While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing man. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the man's death continue and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner. A woman in her 60s was found dead in her vehicle after getting into trouble while attempting to drive from Sydney to Coffs Harbor. Traffic police stopped the woman, who was in a Holden 4WD, west of Dorrigo about 7pm on Wednesday. The officer, who was driving a BMW sedan, and the woman then left, driving along Coramba Road towards Coffs Harbour before stopping at Wild Cattle Creek Bridge when they encountered water over the roadway. The officer checked the water level, which was ankle deep, and spoke to the woman, advising her he would turn around. The officer advised her to be careful and gave the woman his phone number before she continued driving towards Coffs Harbour. But the woman phoned the officer 30 minutes later, saying she was in trouble near Morora Road, Brooklana, about 17km away. Authorities searched for the woman but could not find her or the vehicle. She was found dead inside the 4WD at 8am on Thursday. NSW Police Polair aerial flood vision in Taree. Credit: Unknown / State of NSW (NSW Police Force) A man believed to be in his 70s is the fourth confirmed victim of the flood disaster. His body was found trapped inside a car in Nana Glen, 30km north west of Coffs Harbour on Friday morning. Police say a passing motorist spotted the vehicle which had run off Orara Way about 4.30am. 'Officers from Coffs-Clarence Police Area Command and SES members attended the scene and found the body of a man inside. He appeared to be the only occupant,' a police statement Commissioner Dave Waddell appeared on 2GB on Friday morning to confirm the grim news.'It appears the man has run off the road in what locals are saying is the worst flooding ever in the region,' he said.
ABC News
22-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Three people dead, one missing as NSW flood disaster continues
Authorities are urging residents "not to be complacent" as record-breaking flooding continues to impact New South Wales. Three people have been confirmed dead following the recovery of a woman's body from her car on Thursday. The woman, aged 60, had been warned about driving through floodwater after initially travelling in convoy with a police officer on Wednesday night near Dorrigo. The driver continued solo towards Coffs Harbour for 17 kilometres, where her car reportedly became trapped in floodwater and she called authorities for help. Police searched the area that evening but were unable to find her. They recovered her body from her 4WD on Thursday afternoon, calling it a "tragic circumstance". It comes after another body was found in floodwater at Rosewood, near Wauchope, earlier on Thursday. It was believed to be the body of a 34-year-old man, who reportedly became stuck in floodwater while driving the night before. David Knowles, 63, was also found dead on the verandah of his North Moto Road home, north-east of Taree, on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, at Nymboida, south of Grafton, a 49-year-old man has been missing since Wednesday evening after he failed to return home from reportedly walking near a flooded roadway. NSW State Emergency Service (SES) spokesperson Andrew Edmunds warned communities to remain on high alert on Friday and into the weekend. "We're seeing a real risk of renewed flooding across the next day or two," he said. In a press conference last night, NSW Police Northern Region Commander David Waddell said authorities had conducted about 600 flood rescues across the rain event. "There have been fast flowing waters and some of those [rescues] have been done by helos [helicopters]," he said. "Some significant rescues have been made but unfortunately we have lost a number of lives." Forty emergency warnings are still in place across the region, with 25 of those under evacuation orders. More than 100 NSW public schools are currently not operating. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid respects to the flood victims and said he was making plans to visit the affected region. "Our hearts go out to the friends and family and the community," he told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday afternoon. "We'll put those arrangements in place [to visit] and certainly it is a terrible situation and it's always a balance — you don't want to get in the way of rescues, as well." Police have urged the public to adhere to all safety messaging, avoid non-essential travel and not to travel onto flooded roadways. Evacuation centres are operating in the following locations: Parts of the Mid North Coast have experienced the wettest May on record. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) hazards manager Steve Bernasconi said Taree experienced the highest flood in more than 90 years. "This has been the highest flood on record since 1929 at 6 metres [in Taree]," Mr Bernasconi said. The BOM issued a moderate flood warning for the Colo River on Thursday night. It also listed minor flood warnings for the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers for Putty Road, Menangle Bridge and North Richmond. It is forecast that the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond may reach 3.8m from early Friday morning. The trough system that has been bringing heavy rain to the region all week deepened into a low pressure system on Thursday and is expected to travel south down the coast on Friday. Heavy rain could impact the Lower Hunter, the Blue Mountains and the northern part of the Southern Highlands into Friday morning.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Three dead, entire towns underwater and supermarket shelves stripped bare as horror floods wreak havoc on Australia's east coast
Supermarket shelves are empty as record floodwaters and heavy rains claim three lives and cut off a large section of a major highway. The floods on the NSW mid-north coast claimed two more victims on Thursday, including a man aged in his thirties found at Rosewood, near the Port Macquarie-Hastings town of Wauchope. The body of a Dorrigo woman, 60, was later recovered from floodwaters in northern NSW on Thursday afternoon. Th two tragedies followed the death David Knowles, 63, whose body was found at his property on North Moto Road near Coopernook, north of Taree, on Wednesday afternoon. He was the first victim of an escalating floods crisis north of Newcastle, as four days of heavy downpours approaching 300mm left several people missing. Record-high floodwaters in Taree have surpassed a 1929 record of six metres. But at nearby Wingham, the Manning River reached 11.7 metres on Thursday afternoon. About 50,000 face being cut off by floodwaters as intense rain sparks new evacuation warnings. Duty commander Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said crews were battling to rescue people in Taree, Glenthorne, Oxley Island and Moto. 'We've seen continual rainfall and very fast flowing rivers, which when combined with flooded roads have made it very difficult to access some isolated people,' he said. '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.' A 36km stretch of the Pacific Highway north of Taree remains closed between Coopernook and Purfleet, stopping semi-trailers from transporting much needed produce to supermarkets. Port Macquarie is also flooded with the Hastings River set to peak at seven metres upstream at the inland town of Wauchope, which remains cut off from the Oxley Highway. In Kempsey's town centre, the Macleay River has also broken a levee bank and is expected to reach 7.3 metres on Thursday night. Waterfall Way is also closed between Raleigh and Bellingen, south of Coffs Harbour. The bad weather is expected to continue with up to 300mm of rain forecast for Taree, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour on Thursday night. Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare by shoppers fearing they're next to be cut off. At Laurieton, south of Port Macquarie, where minor flooding is occurring along the Camden Haven River, the bread shelves were empty at Coles. Woolworths has closed its Kempsey supermarket and Big W stores, along with the Woolworths at Macksville following evacuations. 'These will remain closed until further notice,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. But the Woolworths at Taree remains open, as Australia's biggest supermarket chain keeps all of its supermarkets open between Newcastle and Port Macquarie. 'Deliveries of essential grocery items continue to travel to most of the impacted communities along the coast,' a spokesman said. 'However, customers will find reduced product availability in our Taree and Gloucester stores due to a number of road closures. '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.'
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Hero dad, 63, who died at his rural property in the NSW floodwaters is identified - as his daughter reveals his final selfless act that saved her life
A hero dad insisted his family board lifeboats from his flooded rural property before opting to stay behind with his animals just hours before he died in the floodwaters. Police discovered the body of David Knowles, 63, at his home on North Moto Road near Coopernook about 3pm on Wednesday. His daughter, Stacey Hurrell, told Daily Mail Australia his best friend Wayne 'Hipshot' Drury led a team of rescuers to his property that afternoon. But, instead of boarding the limited number of lifeboats, her selfless father turned the help in the direction of his family. The 63-year-old opted to stay behind with his blind dog and 30-head herd of cattle, before the rising Landsdowne River caught him in his home. Ms Hurrell said she was 'pissed off' and 'sad', adding she had blocked out the news and was instead focused on looking after her community. Ms Hurrell said the local heroes, led by Mr Drury, deserved a 'medal of recognition for all the families they've saved'. He and friends, including men from the local Stones Oyster Co Op, used their equipment and strength for 'day and night' rescues since Wednesday morning. '(They have) saved s**t loads of families compared to the SES… the SES don't know the river systems like the locals do,' she said. 'They are all fathers; they have the drive to save people, because they've needed saving before.'
