‘Evolving situation’: Sydney enters clean-up mode as wild weather moves north

Sydney will head into clean-up mode on Thursday as heavy rain continues to make its way north, putting the NSW Mid North Coast, Hunter region and Central Coast on high flood alert.

The NSW SES has urged residents within these regions to prepare for more evacuation orders to be issued on Thursday as significant flooding begins to wreak havoc in the area.

Most recently, Croki and Coopernook – both near Taree – were put under evacuation warnings just before 6am on Thursday morning as the nearby Manning River looks to threaten low-lying properties.

Residents in Tuncurry near Forster and Bulahdelah near Taree were also forced to evacuate about 10pm on Wednesday due to flooding in the region.

Closer to Sydney, a major flood warning has also been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for the NSW Central Coast, due to rising river levels at the Wyong River and Tuggerah Lake. The bureau expects Tuggerah Lake to peak on Thursday morning.

More than 60,000 people remain under evacuation orders or warnings across the state. Flooding at the Hawkesbury River continues to ease as weather conditions subside, but with water levels still high, most residents are yet to return to their homes.

Resident Steve Arnold walks in floodwaters at Moorebank, in Sydney’s west, on Monday.Credit:Flavio Brancaleone

NSW SES spokesperson Ashley Sullivan said volunteers would be divided on Thursday between helping Sydney residents return home and the situation up north.

“We’re in a mixed response at the moment of returning communities to their homes, but still responding to the evolving threat up in the Mid North Coast and Hunter and Central Coast, so we’ve got a number of flood rescues ongoing at the moment,” he said on the ABC TV’s News Breakfast program.

“Today we’re seeing more interstate crews arrive, particularly to support the Hunter and Mid North Coast areas with the increased workload and evolving situation up there.”

The NSW SES reported 1173 requests for assistance overnight into Thursday, including 63 flood rescues.

CJ Turner of Shanes Park in Sydney’s west on Tuesday. Turner has carried out search and rescue missions in his runabout boat, pulling neighbours and stricken farm animals from the floodwaters.Credit:Dean Sewell

Sullivan said the NSW SES is urging residents returning home on Thursday to be vigilant as many power lines and trees have fallen down amid the wild weather event.

“There’s going to be debris, potentially contaminants from spilt chemicals – and be cautious of power lines as well,” he said.

“Treat power lines as always being live if they’ve been damaged throughout this event. And when you go into your home, do not turn the power back on if it’s been flooded or inundated.”

Commuters and motorists in flood-prone areas are still being urged to avoid non-essential travel on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the cargo ship that became stranded off the coast of Sydney on Monday due to treacherous weather conditions has safely docked in Botany Bay.

The ship will undergo all required repairs before leaving the port after damaging its engine out at sea.

“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority thanks all agencies and salvage companies for their work to bring the MV Portland Bay safely into the harbour and would like to commend the crew of those vessels in the early response who battled horrendous sea states,” a statement from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

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