Record-Breaking May Rain Triggers Severe Flooding Across NSW

Eastern and southern New South Wales have experienced unprecedented heavy rainfall, with many areas receiving record-breaking totals in May. A slow-moving low pressure trough combined with moisture-laden winds and a stagnant pool of cold upper-level air led to over 500mm of rain in some locations within just a few days, exacerbating already wet conditions and causing severe flooding. Western Sydney recorded its heaviest single day of May rainfall on record, and places like Comboyne Public School accumulated over 700mm in four days. The intense rains caused rivers such as the Manning River to swell to unprecedented levels, leading to widespread evacuations and hundreds of flood rescues, particularly in towns like Taree, Wingham, and Glenthorne. The flooding has been described as a 'one-in-500-year' event, trapping tens of thousands of residents and impacting large parts of the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions. Emergency services continue to respond as moderate to major flooding persists across these areas, with the ongoing rain further worsening the situation.