Latest news with #NSWStateEmergencyService
West Australian
06-08-2025
- West Australian
Body found after search for woman swept away by flood
Police have found the body of a woman swept away after a car tried to drive through floodwaters in a popular wine region. The 26-year-old was a passenger in a car which became stranded in Black Creek in Rothbury, in the NSW Hunter Valley, on Saturday evening. Emergency services were able to save a 27-year-old woman believed to have been driving the car, but could not find the younger woman. A multi-agency search made the grim discovery on Wednesday, locating the body believed to be that of the missing woman. Officers were told the duo had attempted to drive a Mini SUV through floodwaters before it became stuck. The flooding was triggered by heavy rain and unprecedented snow that wreaked havoc across NSW over the weekend. Tens of thousands of people spent Saturday night without power as between 50 and 100mm of rain drenched parts of the mid-north coast and northern Hunter. The NSW State Emergency Service had responded to more than 2500 incidents including 39 flood rescues by Wednesday morning. One of those rescues was of a 40-year-old man stuck in a tree who was later swept into Black Creek. He was taken to a hospital for a medical check.
Perth Now
06-08-2025
- Perth Now
Body found after search for woman swept away by flood
Police have found the body of a woman swept away after a car tried to drive through floodwaters in a popular wine region. The 26-year-old was a passenger in a car which became stranded in Black Creek in Rothbury, in the NSW Hunter Valley, on Saturday evening. Emergency services were able to save a 27-year-old woman believed to have been driving the car, but could not find the younger woman. A multi-agency search made the grim discovery on Wednesday, locating the body believed to be that of the missing woman. Officers were told the duo had attempted to drive a Mini SUV through floodwaters before it became stuck. The flooding was triggered by heavy rain and unprecedented snow that wreaked havoc across NSW over the weekend. Tens of thousands of people spent Saturday night without power as between 50 and 100mm of rain drenched parts of the mid-north coast and northern Hunter. The NSW State Emergency Service had responded to more than 2500 incidents including 39 flood rescues by Wednesday morning. One of those rescues was of a 40-year-old man stuck in a tree who was later swept into Black Creek. He was taken to a hospital for a medical check.
The Advertiser
04-08-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Water search dogs join police operation after woman swept away in flood
POLICE divers and specialty water search dogs have been deployed to the Hunter Valley as part of the multi-agency operation to find a woman swept away in raging floodwaters on the weekend. Two Chinese nationals trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country attempted to drive through a causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury as floodwaters surged through on Saturday night. The women, aged 27 and 26, a dog and the small car they were travelling in were washed into Black Creek, near Cessnock. The driver grabbed the dog and made it to shore but her 26-year-old passenger did not surface. Emergency services swarmed the area and a multi-agency search operation was launched, involving the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and police, including water and rescue officers. The search from the land and water, and from the sky with a drone, continued through the weekend. Police divers were tasked to help with the search when it resumed on Monday. Five canines from the VRA NSW Search Dogs squad and their handlers were also tasked to assist. Four of those dogs had been trained in water searching, the first of their kind in Australia. They are part of a wider canine team that assist the police in different circumstances. Squad captain Sue Pritchard said the specialist capability had been deployed about 14 times since it became active one year ago. The dogs are highly trained to find people in the water and on the shoreline, and can help narrow down search areas. "They are truly amazing, and they have been very successful," she said, speaking generally about the squad. They work in a range of conditions and have to be able to navigate debris and balance themselves on a boat. Their training is intense and they have to be so finely tuned to what they are looking for due to the varying water conditions, temperatures, winds and currents. They can smell, detect bubbles, and may lick the water. Their partnerships with their handlers, who have to be able to read what the dogs are trying to say, is key. "We need pretty resilient dogs," she said. The team is made up of cocker and springer spaniels, coolies and a border collie. The volunteer handlers all come from different walks of life and can be called to go anywhere to help out. Captain Pritchard said the team was just happy to be able to help families have their loved ones found as quickly as possible. The search conditions were difficult on Saturday, with rescuers battling poor weather conditions and visibility. Police confirmed family in Australia and China had been notified of the search and police were liaising with Chinese Consulate officials. The 26-year-old woman was in Australia working as an engineer and was visiting the Hunter. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek when his car was swept into the raging waters and he was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast. Shortland Esplanade remained closed to traffic near Nobbys beach on Monday as City of Newcastle crews worked to clear a weather-related landslip. No properties were affected. The New England Highway was closed at Muswellbrook due to flooding but reopened just after 10am on Monday, August 4. Dozens of local roads across the Hunter council areas remained closed due to floodwater inundation. A small section of Raymond Terrace, along the Hunter River, was under evacuation orders on Sunday night. Part of Hinton was isolated on Monday, while Hinton Public School and Hunter Trade College were non-operational. On Monday, the SES warned Clarence Town, Seaham, Muswellbrook, Denman, Maitland and Singleton to monitor conditions and stay informed on flooding in their areas. Holiday-makers and locals on the Mid North Coast were hit with what one resident described as 'mini cyclone' conditions on the weekend, causing damage to structures. The sun came out in Newcastle on Monday and conditions are expected to remain dry on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). POLICE divers and specialty water search dogs have been deployed to the Hunter Valley as part of the multi-agency operation to find a woman swept away in raging floodwaters on the weekend. Two Chinese nationals trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country attempted to drive through a causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury as floodwaters surged through on Saturday night. The women, aged 27 and 26, a dog and the small car they were travelling in were washed into Black Creek, near Cessnock. The driver grabbed the dog and made it to shore but her 26-year-old passenger did not surface. Emergency services swarmed the area and a multi-agency search operation was launched, involving the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and police, including water and rescue officers. The search from the land and water, and from the sky with a drone, continued through the weekend. Police divers were tasked to help with the search when it resumed on Monday. Five canines from the VRA NSW Search Dogs squad and their handlers were also tasked to assist. Four of those dogs had been trained in water searching, the first of their kind in Australia. They are part of a wider canine team that assist the police in different circumstances. Squad captain Sue Pritchard said the specialist capability had been deployed about 14 times since it became active one year ago. The dogs are highly trained to find people in the water and on the shoreline, and can help narrow down search areas. "They are truly amazing, and they have been very successful," she said, speaking generally about the squad. They work in a range of conditions and have to be able to navigate debris and balance themselves on a boat. Their training is intense and they have to be so finely tuned to what they are looking for due to the varying water conditions, temperatures, winds and currents. They can smell, detect bubbles, and may lick the water. Their partnerships with their handlers, who have to be able to read what the dogs are trying to say, is key. "We need pretty resilient dogs," she said. The team is made up of cocker and springer spaniels, coolies and a border collie. The volunteer handlers all come from different walks of life and can be called to go anywhere to help out. Captain Pritchard said the team was just happy to be able to help families have their loved ones found as quickly as possible. The search conditions were difficult on Saturday, with rescuers battling poor weather conditions and visibility. Police confirmed family in Australia and China had been notified of the search and police were liaising with Chinese Consulate officials. The 26-year-old woman was in Australia working as an engineer and was visiting the Hunter. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek when his car was swept into the raging waters and he was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast. Shortland Esplanade remained closed to traffic near Nobbys beach on Monday as City of Newcastle crews worked to clear a weather-related landslip. No properties were affected. The New England Highway was closed at Muswellbrook due to flooding but reopened just after 10am on Monday, August 4. Dozens of local roads across the Hunter council areas remained closed due to floodwater inundation. A small section of Raymond Terrace, along the Hunter River, was under evacuation orders on Sunday night. Part of Hinton was isolated on Monday, while Hinton Public School and Hunter Trade College were non-operational. On Monday, the SES warned Clarence Town, Seaham, Muswellbrook, Denman, Maitland and Singleton to monitor conditions and stay informed on flooding in their areas. Holiday-makers and locals on the Mid North Coast were hit with what one resident described as 'mini cyclone' conditions on the weekend, causing damage to structures. The sun came out in Newcastle on Monday and conditions are expected to remain dry on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). POLICE divers and specialty water search dogs have been deployed to the Hunter Valley as part of the multi-agency operation to find a woman swept away in raging floodwaters on the weekend. Two Chinese nationals trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country attempted to drive through a causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury as floodwaters surged through on Saturday night. The women, aged 27 and 26, a dog and the small car they were travelling in were washed into Black Creek, near Cessnock. The driver grabbed the dog and made it to shore but her 26-year-old passenger did not surface. Emergency services swarmed the area and a multi-agency search operation was launched, involving the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and police, including water and rescue officers. The search from the land and water, and from the sky with a drone, continued through the weekend. Police divers were tasked to help with the search when it resumed on Monday. Five canines from the VRA NSW Search Dogs squad and their handlers were also tasked to assist. Four of those dogs had been trained in water searching, the first of their kind in Australia. They are part of a wider canine team that assist the police in different circumstances. Squad captain Sue Pritchard said the specialist capability had been deployed about 14 times since it became active one year ago. The dogs are highly trained to find people in the water and on the shoreline, and can help narrow down search areas. "They are truly amazing, and they have been very successful," she said, speaking generally about the squad. They work in a range of conditions and have to be able to navigate debris and balance themselves on a boat. Their training is intense and they have to be so finely tuned to what they are looking for due to the varying water conditions, temperatures, winds and currents. They can smell, detect bubbles, and may lick the water. Their partnerships with their handlers, who have to be able to read what the dogs are trying to say, is key. "We need pretty resilient dogs," she said. The team is made up of cocker and springer spaniels, coolies and a border collie. The volunteer handlers all come from different walks of life and can be called to go anywhere to help out. Captain Pritchard said the team was just happy to be able to help families have their loved ones found as quickly as possible. The search conditions were difficult on Saturday, with rescuers battling poor weather conditions and visibility. Police confirmed family in Australia and China had been notified of the search and police were liaising with Chinese Consulate officials. The 26-year-old woman was in Australia working as an engineer and was visiting the Hunter. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek when his car was swept into the raging waters and he was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast. Shortland Esplanade remained closed to traffic near Nobbys beach on Monday as City of Newcastle crews worked to clear a weather-related landslip. No properties were affected. The New England Highway was closed at Muswellbrook due to flooding but reopened just after 10am on Monday, August 4. Dozens of local roads across the Hunter council areas remained closed due to floodwater inundation. A small section of Raymond Terrace, along the Hunter River, was under evacuation orders on Sunday night. Part of Hinton was isolated on Monday, while Hinton Public School and Hunter Trade College were non-operational. On Monday, the SES warned Clarence Town, Seaham, Muswellbrook, Denman, Maitland and Singleton to monitor conditions and stay informed on flooding in their areas. Holiday-makers and locals on the Mid North Coast were hit with what one resident described as 'mini cyclone' conditions on the weekend, causing damage to structures. The sun came out in Newcastle on Monday and conditions are expected to remain dry on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). POLICE divers and specialty water search dogs have been deployed to the Hunter Valley as part of the multi-agency operation to find a woman swept away in raging floodwaters on the weekend. Two Chinese nationals trying to get back to Sydney after a weekend in wine country attempted to drive through a causeway on Old North Road at North Rothbury as floodwaters surged through on Saturday night. The women, aged 27 and 26, a dog and the small car they were travelling in were washed into Black Creek, near Cessnock. The driver grabbed the dog and made it to shore but her 26-year-old passenger did not surface. Emergency services swarmed the area and a multi-agency search operation was launched, involving the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and police, including water and rescue officers. The search from the land and water, and from the sky with a drone, continued through the weekend. Police divers were tasked to help with the search when it resumed on Monday. Five canines from the VRA NSW Search Dogs squad and their handlers were also tasked to assist. Four of those dogs had been trained in water searching, the first of their kind in Australia. They are part of a wider canine team that assist the police in different circumstances. Squad captain Sue Pritchard said the specialist capability had been deployed about 14 times since it became active one year ago. The dogs are highly trained to find people in the water and on the shoreline, and can help narrow down search areas. "They are truly amazing, and they have been very successful," she said, speaking generally about the squad. They work in a range of conditions and have to be able to navigate debris and balance themselves on a boat. Their training is intense and they have to be so finely tuned to what they are looking for due to the varying water conditions, temperatures, winds and currents. They can smell, detect bubbles, and may lick the water. Their partnerships with their handlers, who have to be able to read what the dogs are trying to say, is key. "We need pretty resilient dogs," she said. The team is made up of cocker and springer spaniels, coolies and a border collie. The volunteer handlers all come from different walks of life and can be called to go anywhere to help out. Captain Pritchard said the team was just happy to be able to help families have their loved ones found as quickly as possible. The search conditions were difficult on Saturday, with rescuers battling poor weather conditions and visibility. Police confirmed family in Australia and China had been notified of the search and police were liaising with Chinese Consulate officials. The 26-year-old woman was in Australia working as an engineer and was visiting the Hunter. A 40-year-old man also attempted to cross Black Creek when his car was swept into the raging waters and he was rescued by SES crews who found him clinging to a tree. The incidents came as wild weather wreaked havoc along the east coast. Shortland Esplanade remained closed to traffic near Nobbys beach on Monday as City of Newcastle crews worked to clear a weather-related landslip. No properties were affected. The New England Highway was closed at Muswellbrook due to flooding but reopened just after 10am on Monday, August 4. Dozens of local roads across the Hunter council areas remained closed due to floodwater inundation. A small section of Raymond Terrace, along the Hunter River, was under evacuation orders on Sunday night. Part of Hinton was isolated on Monday, while Hinton Public School and Hunter Trade College were non-operational. On Monday, the SES warned Clarence Town, Seaham, Muswellbrook, Denman, Maitland and Singleton to monitor conditions and stay informed on flooding in their areas. Holiday-makers and locals on the Mid North Coast were hit with what one resident described as 'mini cyclone' conditions on the weekend, causing damage to structures. The sun came out in Newcastle on Monday and conditions are expected to remain dry on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
The Advertiser
03-08-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Search resumes for woman swept away by floodwaters at Cessnock
Emergency services resumed a search on Sunday morning for a woman swept away in flood waters at Cessnock on Saturday night. The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium. There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson.. Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock. Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater. The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured. NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater. Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek. SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment. The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW. Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place. An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW. Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers. Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater. Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road. Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain. Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads. If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies. Emergency services resumed a search on Sunday morning for a woman swept away in flood waters at Cessnock on Saturday night. The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium. There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson.. Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock. Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater. The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured. NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater. Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek. SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment. The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW. Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place. An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW. Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers. Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater. Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road. Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain. Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads. If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies. Emergency services resumed a search on Sunday morning for a woman swept away in flood waters at Cessnock on Saturday night. The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium. There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson.. Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock. Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater. The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured. NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater. Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek. SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment. The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW. Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place. An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW. Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers. Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater. Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road. Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain. Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads. If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies. Emergency services resumed a search on Sunday morning for a woman swept away in flood waters at Cessnock on Saturday night. The search resumes as an emergency warning was put in place for major flooding at Scone and an evacuation centre was opened at the Scone Basketball Stadium. There were also warning of moderate flooding at Dungog and minor flooding at Paterson.. Emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Saturday with reports a car had been stuck in floodwater at Black Creek, on the Old North Road, at Rothbury, about 15km north of Cessnock. Police arrived at the scene and were told a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through floodwater before it became stuck. The driver and a passenger have then attempted to exit the car; however, the passenger - a woman believed to be aged in her 20s - was swept away in floodwater. The driver - a 27-year-old woman - was uninjured. NSW State Emergency Service crews located an additional person - a 40-year-old man - stuck in a tree nearby after he also became trapped in floodwater. Emergency services attempted to reach the man; however, he was swept from the tree further down Black Creek. SES members followed the man through the water before they were able to safely pull him to shore nearby. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for assessment. The search for the woman was suspended about 10.50pm and was resumed on Sunday by services, including NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW. Old North Road remains closed due to flooding. Live updates are available from An emergency warning is current for parts of Scone due to major flooding, with evacuation orders in place. An evacuation centre is now open at Basketball Stadium - Corner of Hill and Susan Streets, Scone NSW. Moderate flooding is expected on the Paterson and Williams Rivers at Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls. Minor flood warnings are active for the Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean and Gwydir Rivers. Flood rescues have been carried out overnight, mostly for people trapped in vehicles after driving into floodwater. Unprecedented snowfall around Armidale and Guyra saw more than 100 vehicles stranded yesterday, with NSW SES responding on New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road. Rainfall is easing, but flooding risks remain. Members of the public in flood-affected areas are reminded to avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and flood water on roads. If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
Perth Now
02-08-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Urgent search for woman missing in floods
An urgent search is underway after a woman was swept away overnight in rising floodwaters in Northern NSW. Two women in their 20s were driving about 16km north of Cessnock in the NSW Hunter Region when their Mini Countryman became stuck as they tried to drive through floodwaters. Both women exited the car, and the passenger was swept away. The 27-year-old driver was safe. The search was suspended overnight and has resumed today. Rainfall totals as high as 137mm have triggered widespread emergency responses across NSW and southeast Queensland, after a barrage of wild weather hit both states. Widespread rainfall has created flood waters across NSW's north. Supplied Credit: Supplied The NSW State Emergency Service has issued more than 40 flood warnings north of Newcastle, with parts of one town urged to evacuate immediately. Six streets in the Upper Hunter town of Scone were ordered to evacuate by 4am Sunday after 'major flooding'. 'If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services,' the SES has warned residents. 'It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water.' Northern NSW has been blanketed heavy snowfall. Supplied Credit: Supplied The NSW SES responded to more than 1,455 incidents caused by the severe weather, including more than 100 vehicles stuck in snow on the New England Highway, Waterfall Way, Norris Drive and Grafton Road. 'Unprecedented snowfall was recorded around Armidale and Guyra yesterday afternoon, creating dangerous road conditions,' the SES reported. The conditions are expected to ease on Sunday afternoon, but high levels of snow will make driving dangerous and there remains a risk of riverine flooding. Rain and blustery winds will continue on Australia's east coast as cold weather chills the nation. Supplied Credit: Supplied Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said snow had been seen as far north as the Granite Belt in southeast Queensland. 'Now all of this snow, particularly across the northern tablelands, did create some fairly dangerous driving conditions and some roads are still closed,' Ms Bradbury said. 'Conditions will gradually ease through the course of today, but they'll ease more rapidly overnight tonight into Monday 'By Monday, we're really expecting fairly isolated showers across the East Coast, with wind starting to pull back as well. 'However, we are likely to see hazardous surf persisting through to the middle of the coming week, with flooding likely to continue as well, our riverine catchments are saturated and they will take a few days to start to come down from those flood levels that are expected.' She went on to warn that a cold front hitting Western Australia could bring strong winds and thunderstorms. 'These winds will be ramping up about the southwest coast through this morning,' Ms Bradbury said. 'The forecast for Western Australia today indicates widespread showers and thunderstorms as the second cold front moves through, sweeping across those southwestern parts of the state. 'Thunderstorm could become severe through the course of today. 'We may also see small hail about the southwest coast of Western Australia today, including around the Perth area.'
