Hundreds of residents have been evacuated across Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) state after torrential rains triggered severe flooding, with emergency crews conducting rooftop rescues and issuing urgent alerts as rivers surged to historic levels, according to ABC News.
Over 280 people were moved to safety as the Manning River at Taree, in the Mid North Coast region, peaked at 6.4 metres, exceeding the previous 1929 record. State Emergency Service (SES) personnel deployed boats and helicopters to rescue stranded residents, with evacuation centres opened to accommodate displaced families.
Thirteen emergency-level warnings remained active across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions, while residents in Redbank were urged to evacuate immediately due to rapidly rising waters. Communities on Oxley Island, Mitchells Island, Manning Point, and Port Macquarie Northshore were advised to shelter in place.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands, and Hunter districts, forecasting further rainfall and life-threatening conditions.
Authorities warned that floodwaters could persist for days, with damaged roads and isolated communities complicating relief efforts. NSW Premier Chris Minns is expected to tour affected areas, pledging additional resources for recovery operations.
