Upgraded flood risk for Mid North Coast

NSW SES

The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is urging Mid North Coast residents to prepare for possible moderate-to-major riverine flooding with torrential heavy rain predicted to start tonight and continue into Tuesday and Wednesday.

With Mid North Coast catchments already saturated from previous flood events, the Bureau of Meteorology has upgraded today’s Flood Watch to include the potential for moderate and major riverine flooding across the area in addition to flash flooding.

Mid North Coast catchments included in the Flood Watch are the Bellinger, Kalang, Coffs, Nambucca, Macleay, Hastings, Camden Haven, Manning and Gloucester Rivers.

Moderate flood levels across the Mid North Coast are likely to result in significant road closures, widespread isolations, property inundation and place pressure on essential services and infrastructure.

NSW SES Incident Controller, David Monk, said: “We are encouraging Mid North Coast communities to take this upcoming rain event very seriously. For those people who are regularly isolated by floods, now is the time to stock up or consider relocating to a safer place. Emergency resources are stretched so we are asking residents in flood high-risk locations to closely monitor the situation and plan when and where they will relocate to if moderate to major flooding develops.”

The NSW SES recommends people monitor the Bureau of Meteorology for any severe weather warnings for heavy rain or riverine flood warnings. People are also encouraged to check their home emergency kit, torches and portable radios.

For more advice on how to prepare for storms and floods, visit the SES Get Ready website.

To keep up to date with information visit the NSW SES website, follow NSW SES on Facebook and listen to your local radio station.

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