NSW Floods Sweep Woman Away, Prompt 1,450 Emergency Responses

Emergency services in New South Wales are actively searching for a woman in her 20s who was swept away by floodwaters near Cessnock in the Hunter region after the Mini Countryman she was a passenger in became stuck in floodwater. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, escaped unharmed, while rescuers also saved a 40-year-old man trapped in a tree nearby who was swept downstream but later pulled to safety. The region has experienced severe weather including heavy rain, flooding, and unprecedented snow, causing widespread disruptions such as power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes and prompting evacuation orders in areas like Scone and Taree. The State Emergency Service has responded to over 1,450 incidents tied to the adverse weather, with continued warnings for damaging winds and additional rainfall expected. Authorities urge residents to avoid floodwaters and exercise caution due to ongoing hazardous conditions, highlighting the dangers of driving or walking through flooded areas. Search efforts for the missing woman were paused overnight but resumed with support from NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW as weather conditions begin to ease.