Residents in towns along the NSW Mid North Coast have been told to evacuate as floodwaters rise, amid some of the state’s worst flooding in almost a decade.
State emergency services have issued a formal evacuation warnings for the Kempsey CBD, Port Macquarie and Bulahdelah areas today.
NSW SES is advising residents in low lying areas of the following locations that they may need to evacuation due to rising floodwater,” the warning said.
“Residents and visitors to these areas should take action now to prepare for possible flood impacts.
Commissioner Carlene York appealed to members of the community on the Mid North Coast to be ready for flash flooding with severe conditions expected to continue this weekend.
“We are calling on all communities from the Mid North Coast right down to the Illawarra, to be vigilant and monitor weather conditions closely,” Commissioner York said.
“Flash flooding is a huge concern. The real danger is that it can’t be predicted and will happen extremely quickly.”
Residents in parts of Port Macquarie are being told to evacuate by 8pm as water levels rise.
North Haven, Dunbogan, Diamond Head and foreshore areas of Laurieton are expected to be impacted, NSW SES said.
Further north in Nambucca Heads roads, parks and homes have been flooded after intense rain dumped more than 200mm of water in less than 24 hours.
The towns of Bowraville and Macksville have been warned to expect moderate flooding as river levels continue to rise.
Emergency crews in Port Stevens have been sandbagging roads and homes to minimise flood damage with several roads closed due to landslides and fallen trees.
Newman senior college in Port Macquarie was closed today due to flooding with parents describing the roads as “really scary”.
