The NSW SES has received over 2,000 calls for help in the last 24 hours, as the state sees heavy downpours and flooding.
Authorities issued a severe weather warning early Tuesday morning for the NSW Mid North Coast, where multiple emergency-level weather warnings have been declared.
There have been 22 flood rescues overnight, all of them in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.
NSW SES chief superintendent of state operations Dallas Byrnes told ABC News channel that 1,400 incidents have required an emergency response.
“We have had a numerous amount of rescues from people entering flood waters.
“The majority have been from people who have been in the wrong place and the flooding has taken them by surprise,” he said.
Where are the flood warnings?
The NSW SES issued severe weather warnings early on Tuesday morning for the following areas:
- Port Macquarie
- Taree
- Kempsey
- Barrington Tops
- Wingham
- Yarrowitch
Additionally, there were 14 Watch and Act level warnings and 36 Advice level warnings issued for flooding in catchments throughout the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions.
Severe weather will ‘linger’
In a statement, the NSW SES said the severe weather will continue with more rainfall expected.
“The severe weather will linger along the coast for several days, with widespread 24-hour rainfall totals of up to 130mm possible in some areas,” it said.
“Isolated falls of up to 180mm in 24-hours are forecast and could cause significant flash flooding.
“Rivers and creeks are already responding quickly to renewed rainfall, as catchments remain saturated.
“Major flooding is occurring on the Paterson, Gloucester and Wiliams Rivers.”
