NSW Floods Kill Five, Isolate 50,000 Amid Record Rainfall

Severe flooding caused by unprecedented and prolonged rainfall has devastated eastern New South Wales, particularly affecting the Mid North Coast, Hunter, and North Coast regions, resulting in at least five deaths and isolating over 50,000 residents. The flooding has overwhelmed emergency services, with the State Emergency Service conducting over 700 rescues, but many calls for help have gone unanswered due to the scale of the disaster. The extreme weather is attributed to a slow-moving coastal trough pulling in humid air, delivering continuous heavy rain of up to 500-600mm over several days, which has led to record flood levels and major disruptions including power outages, road damage, and shortages of essentials. Authorities warn that heavy rain and flooding risks will continue, with flood alerts issued for key river catchments and the Warragamba Dam nearing capacity and potential overflow. Government officials, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, have pledged support while acknowledging the scale of the disaster and the increasing frequency of such extreme events linked to climate change. The Australian Defence Force has been deployed to assist in search and rescue efforts, highlighting the ongoing severity and complexity of the emergency response.