Almost 50,000 Isolated by Record NSW Floods, Hundreds Rescued

Severe flooding continues to impact New South Wales, particularly the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions, with Taree as the epicenter where hundreds of residents have been rescued from rooftops and many more evacuated. Emergency services have conducted over 284 flood rescues in 24 hours, supported by more than 1,600 SES volunteers and multiple flood rescue teams, while authorities warn that rainfall totals could reach up to 300mm in the coming days, exacerbating already saturated catchments. Evacuation orders are in place for several communities including Kempsey, Macksville, and Redbank near Wauchope, as rivers are expected to exceed flood levels and heavy rainfall is set to persist into the weekend. Emergency officials urge residents to evacuate immediately if under warning, emphasizing that rescue resources may be limited and prioritizing those most in need. Woolworths has committed to monitoring the situation closely, and grants will be provided to low-income and uninsured residents to aid in replacing essential home items and structural repairs. The flooding has already caused significant damage, with local residents expressing distress over the ongoing conditions and disruptions.