Recovery efforts will begin on Saturday following a devastating week of record rainfall for much of the NSW coast, with five people killed in flood-related tragedies and roughly 50,000 people still stranded.
NSW SES estimates that at least 10,000 properties were damaged by the catastrophic weather, with many communities, particularly in the Northern Rivers region, only recently recovered from the consequences of Cyclone Alfred.
Farmers are left grappling with the unquantifiable loss of livestock, as floodwaters washed their cows into nearby rivers and oceans.
Muddy water off the NSW Mid North Coast near Nambucca Heads, caused by floodwaters from the Nambucca River, the Bellinger River, and the mouth of the Hastings River, is so intense it is visible from space.
Several severe weather warnings were lifted on Friday, with river levels dropping below the dire heights reached throughout the week, and the sun finally peaking through the clouds offering a a glimmer of hope for many communities facing a tough few months ahead.
Despite the easing weather, 151 weather warnings remain in place across the state, 31 at emergency level, and 15 communities are still cut off.
In Kempsey, residents remain cut off, with the nearby Macleay River holding at around 6.45 meters. Locals are relying on boats as the only means of transportation.
Kempsey Mayor Kinne Ring said residents were not prepared for the river to rise so rapidly and the consequences had been “devastating”.
“Just the sheer amount of rain that we’ve seen, the river came up so fast, four meters in just a day, it was absolutely insane,” he told Sky News host Steve Price.
“People weren’t prepared, usually we have time when these sorts of events happen, we live on a floodplain, but it just came thick and came fast and it’s been really devastating to our community.”
Mr Ring said the Kempsey CBD has been severely affected by flooding, causing power outages and water damage to major supermarkets like Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi, resulting in the loss of all their stock.
“We don’t know when we’ll actually be able to get trucks into the CBD to not only clear the stock, but also provide more stock.”
In West Kempsey, a small IGA and bakery are struggling to serve thousands as the area remains isolated from neighbouring communities, Mr Ring said.
“It’s a really dire situation here. The SES is stretched across the Mid-North Coast and the Hunter. So getting supplies to people has been really tricky.”
The SES has responded to 7,083 incidents during the flood event, including 1,330 in the last 24 hours to 5am Saturday.
Of the total incidents, 765 were flood rescues.
NSW SES Chief Superintendent Paul McQueen ESM said on Saturday crews would prioritise washouts and assessing damage in locations where floodwaters are receding.
“We’re seeing conditions improve and we will have an increased number of volunteers out in force today to start the damage assessment process, which is likely to take some time to complete,” he said early Saturday morning.
“This is important work to allow us to assess any access and safety issues before de-escalating evacuation orders.
“I reiterate this is still a dangerous situation where significant impacts to infrastructure and properties are likely to have occurred.”
Mr McQueen said it is not safe for people to return home despite the easing weather, with crews still needing to assess the safety of flood-damaged homes.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to let people return to their homes until water further subsides
“Homes and businesses may need to be inspected by a qualified electrician,” he said.
“There are still many communities that remain isolated, with 50,000 people estimated to be impacted.
“We will continue to resupply those isolated residents by land, water and air as part of our multi-agency response.
“We ask you to be patient, remain in a safe location and please don’t be tempted to drive through flood waters or go sightseeing.”
