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Three dead and more missing after east coast storms – rolling report Three dead and more missing after east coast storms – rolling report
(35 minutes later)
5.02am BST
05:02
Here’s the most recent news take from AAP.
“The flood waters yesterday ... were extremely strong, savage, with a lot of debris, large logs coming down the river,” ACT police sergeant Harry Hains told reporters in Canberra. “The force was enough to flip a two-tonne ute.”
Police and emergency workers again warned people not to drive through flood waters for any reason.
“These types of weather conditions, extreme weather conditions we’ve experienced, do lead adventure-seeking type people to seek mud with their four-wheel-drives,” Hains said.
“There is no risk worth taking to cross a flooded river to go and seek some piece of dirt to drive your four-wheel drive on.”
Related: Eastern Australia storms: three dead and more missing as wild weather hits coast
4.59am BST
04:59
Tasmania has been hit particularly hard by the weather. There’s been significant rainfall across the northwest, north and northeast of the state and that’s led to flooding. Four evacuation centres are currently open in the north of the state – in Launceston, Deloraine, East Devonport, Wynyard – for people who have been displaced by floods.
State emergency services and other authorities held a briefing, broadcast on Facebook Live by Launceston’s Examiner Newspaper, at 1:30pm. A spokesperson called on all Tasmanians to be “absolutely responsible in the coming days” and to stay away from floodwaters:
“There is no circumstance where anybody should risk their lives, their vehicles or anything anywhere near floodwaters. Anywhere there are floodwaters, it’s not anywhere Tasmanians should be. ... We already have grave fears for two of our fellow citizens.”
4.50am BST
04:50
The 24 hours to 9am in Canberra comprised the wettest June day on record.
65.2mm in 24 hours to 9am making wettest June day on record in #Canberra. Previously 54.6mm. https://t.co/0yC0ewNpTy pic.twitter.com/ss3X8YVaMX
Updated
at 5.00am BST
4.46am BST
04:46
Labor leader Bill Shorten has addressed the storms on Twitter.
These storms have done terrible damage, devastating lives have now been lost. Our love to their families, our thanks to emergency services.
He was in Melbourne this morning, where there are blue skies (though the weather is forecast to deteriorate overnight).
Looks like the sun didn't forget us after all. #melbourne #melbweather pic.twitter.com/5ds6snckO1
4.42am BST
04:42
Banana, sugarcane and oyster farmers in northern NSW are counting the cost after their crops were slammed by heavy storms, AAP reports.
Swathes of sugarcane crops are still underwater after floods ravaged the region over the weekend, while wild winds battered banana plantations at Coffs Harbour, said NSW Farmers spokesman Michael Burt.
It could have an impact on prices down the track. But not everyone is struggling: grain farmers across inland regions have reportedly welcomed the rain.
4.36am BST
04:36
AAP reports that Sydney’s eastern beaches are still being slammed by dangerously strong waves and high tides, with Coogee Surf Club now at risk of collapse. Helicopters and drones have been used to assess the damage, while two NSW Fire and Rescue crews arrived on the scene just after 11am.
Coogee Surf club's wall smashed in by the storm last night pic.twitter.com/bHIpigf29k
SES crews have arrived at Coogee... Plenty of damage to the beach front and surf club #MRNews #coogee pic.twitter.com/KMezIXpUFm
Coogee surf club gym this morning... Heartbroken at the damage #saveourclub #SydneyStorm @9NewsAUS @smh pic.twitter.com/UNr11OmC8j
.Extensive damage to @coogeeslsc @abcnews @abcnewsSydney @702sydney pic.twitter.com/p43VJuid2o
Coogee local Alan Lloyd, who belongs to the historical society, said he had only seen similar conditions once before but never such bad damage.
“The old Coogee pier foundations have been exposed, there’s devastation along the handrails and I’ve never seen rocks exposed on the beach there before,” he told AAP.
He also had a message for the half-dozen surfers who paddled out this morning.
“They’re crazy. Not only are they putting their own lives at risk, but if something happens and they need to be rescued they’re putting others’ lives at risk too,” he said.
Updated
at 4.37am BST
4.24am BST4.24am BST
04:2404:24
ABC Central West is reporting some road closures in the region. Many don’t apply to the average car but it goes to show how long the clean-up from the storm can reasonably be expected to go on for. In NSW, ABC Central West is reporting some road closures in the region. Many don’t apply to the average car but it goes to show how long the clean-up from the storm can reasonably be expected to go on for.
All unsealed roads within Lachlan Shire, MR347 Dandaloo Road between Albert and Bogan River, the Bland Shire Council area and Narromine Shire are closed to vehicles over three tonnes until 10am Wednesday, when their condition will be reviewed.All unsealed roads within Lachlan Shire, MR347 Dandaloo Road between Albert and Bogan River, the Bland Shire Council area and Narromine Shire are closed to vehicles over three tonnes until 10am Wednesday, when their condition will be reviewed.
In Narromine Shire, Bulgandramine Road is closed in Parkes Shire between Bulgandarmine Bridge and Peak Hill near Towalba Stud.In Narromine Shire, Bulgandramine Road is closed in Parkes Shire between Bulgandarmine Bridge and Peak Hill near Towalba Stud.
Tullamore Rd MR 354 is closed in Parkes Shire at Gretel Creek.Tullamore Rd MR 354 is closed in Parkes Shire at Gretel Creek.
Updated
at 4.41am BST
4.06am BST4.06am BST
04:0604:06
Collaroy beach, before and after the Sydney storm:Collaroy beach, before and after the Sydney storm:
The pool by the flagpole in the left-hand image? That’s the one tumbling down to the beach in the right.The pool by the flagpole in the left-hand image? That’s the one tumbling down to the beach in the right.
Updated
at 4.54am BST
4.00am BST4.00am BST
04:0004:00
The army has been called into Latrobe, Tasmania, where there’s widespread flooding. An elderly man was rescued from his home there by helicopter earlier this morning, but his wife is one of the two people still missing in the state.The army has been called into Latrobe, Tasmania, where there’s widespread flooding. An elderly man was rescued from his home there by helicopter earlier this morning, but his wife is one of the two people still missing in the state.
The army has been sent to Latrobe to rescue residents from their homes. pic.twitter.com/qljzyfI2RmThe army has been sent to Latrobe to rescue residents from their homes. pic.twitter.com/qljzyfI2Rm
Westpac Rescue Helicopter also evacuating stranded residents in Latrobe, where it is now raining. pic.twitter.com/ptOXbT9IiyWestpac Rescue Helicopter also evacuating stranded residents in Latrobe, where it is now raining. pic.twitter.com/ptOXbT9Iiy
Floodwater levels should have peaked by now, but Fairfax reporter Kathryn Bermingham’s footage shows the extent of the devastation.Floodwater levels should have peaked by now, but Fairfax reporter Kathryn Bermingham’s footage shows the extent of the devastation.
Mersey Main Road, Latrobe. Water is still rising. pic.twitter.com/QJxSAYpF0YMersey Main Road, Latrobe. Water is still rising. pic.twitter.com/QJxSAYpF0Y
Shipping containers have been swept down the Emu River at Wivenhoe. pic.twitter.com/TBmusF4QuIShipping containers have been swept down the Emu River at Wivenhoe. pic.twitter.com/TBmusF4QuI
The banks of the Emu River have collapsed at Wivenhoe. Several businesses flooded. pic.twitter.com/SkIaQ1haJnThe banks of the Emu River have collapsed at Wivenhoe. Several businesses flooded. pic.twitter.com/SkIaQ1haJn
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.00am BSTat 4.00am BST
3.53am BST3.53am BST
03:5303:53
Power outages were reported in many areas of the east coast yesterday, with Ausgrid advising yesterday evening that 21,000 homes were without electricity and that crews would be working through the night to restore services.Power outages were reported in many areas of the east coast yesterday, with Ausgrid advising yesterday evening that 21,000 homes were without electricity and that crews would be working through the night to restore services.
Still no power so juicing up in the apt common areas. Desperate times, desperate measures #SydneyStorm @harukinights pic.twitter.com/mVHO7Q1k8RStill no power so juicing up in the apt common areas. Desperate times, desperate measures #SydneyStorm @harukinights pic.twitter.com/mVHO7Q1k8R
This morning, Ausgrid said that 18,000 customers were reconnected overnight and 8,000 remained to be connected.This morning, Ausgrid said that 18,000 customers were reconnected overnight and 8,000 remained to be connected.
Power has been restored to more than 18,000 customers overnight. Fresh crews on deck to help reconnect 8,000 remaining homes #EastCoastLowPower has been restored to more than 18,000 customers overnight. Fresh crews on deck to help reconnect 8,000 remaining homes #EastCoastLow
Its outages map shows widespread blackouts, some first reported on Saturday, as well as planned interruptions as Ausgrid works to restore services.Its outages map shows widespread blackouts, some first reported on Saturday, as well as planned interruptions as Ausgrid works to restore services.
Twitter, too, shows many Sydney residents still in the dark about when they’ll be back on the grid.Twitter, too, shows many Sydney residents still in the dark about when they’ll be back on the grid.
24 hrs without power #SydneyStorm24 hrs without power #SydneyStorm
Still no response from @Ausgrid about why we don't have power or when a technician can check network supply #SydneyStormStill no response from @Ausgrid about why we don't have power or when a technician can check network supply #SydneyStorm
3.36am BST3.36am BST
03:3603:36
Elle HuntElle Hunt
Hello, and thanks for following along our coverage of these devastating storms.Hello, and thanks for following along our coverage of these devastating storms.
Police have just confirmed that three people have died – two in New South Wales, one in the ACT – while two are missing in Tasmania.Police have just confirmed that three people have died – two in New South Wales, one in the ACT – while two are missing in Tasmania.
I’m taking over from my colleague Melissa Davey for the next hour or so as we follow the emergency services response and clear-up efforts.I’m taking over from my colleague Melissa Davey for the next hour or so as we follow the emergency services response and clear-up efforts.
Here are some striking images from Twitter of the aftermath at Coogee – including serious damage to the Surf Life Saving Club – in Sydney.Here are some striking images from Twitter of the aftermath at Coogee – including serious damage to the Surf Life Saving Club – in Sydney.
Well, Coogee rock wall got destroyed. #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/MwCJbmxZy4Well, Coogee rock wall got destroyed. #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/MwCJbmxZy4
Coogee aftermath #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/y494hQPkiqCoogee aftermath #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/y494hQPkiq
Much sand has been washed away from Coogee beach exposing what used to be a pier there. #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/BWq2fCERsvMuch sand has been washed away from Coogee beach exposing what used to be a pier there. #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/BWq2fCERsv
.@coogeeslsc was hit hard by #SydneyStorm yesterday. If you see any damage, please report it to the SES or us. pic.twitter.com/O8x80NNTSI.@coogeeslsc was hit hard by #SydneyStorm yesterday. If you see any damage, please report it to the SES or us. pic.twitter.com/O8x80NNTSI
3.28am BST3.28am BST
03:2803:28
Midday summary - three confirmed deaths, while police search for missing people in TasmaniaMidday summary - three confirmed deaths, while police search for missing people in Tasmania
The storms which affected the east-coast of Australia over the weekend have had some devastating consequences, with three lives lost and others still missing. One body has been recovered in the ACT and a further two in NSW. To recap:The storms which affected the east-coast of Australia over the weekend have had some devastating consequences, with three lives lost and others still missing. One body has been recovered in the ACT and a further two in NSW. To recap:
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.28am BSTat 3.28am BST
3.13am BST3.13am BST
03:1303:13
NSW police have issued a statement about the two men who have been found in floodwaters, one in Leppington and one in Bowral.NSW police have issued a statement about the two men who have been found in floodwaters, one in Leppington and one in Bowral.
Police divers have retrieved the bodies of two men in separate cars which were swept into flood waters at Bowral and in Sydney’s south west yesterday.Police divers have retrieved the bodies of two men in separate cars which were swept into flood waters at Bowral and in Sydney’s south west yesterday.
About 5pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to Anthony Road, Leppington, after receiving information of a white utility entering a causeway and being washed away.About 5pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to Anthony Road, Leppington, after receiving information of a white utility entering a causeway and being washed away.
Police from Camden Local Area Command commenced a search of the flood affected area, with the assistance from the State Emergency Service, without success.Police from Camden Local Area Command commenced a search of the flood affected area, with the assistance from the State Emergency Service, without success.
The search resumed at 6.30am today, and police located the body of a man in a vehicle.The search resumed at 6.30am today, and police located the body of a man in a vehicle.
The man’s body was retrieved with the assistance of police divers about 11.30am.The man’s body was retrieved with the assistance of police divers about 11.30am.
In a separate incident at Bowral, emergency services were called to Mittagong Creek about 5.30pm yesterday (Sunday 5 June 2016), following reports a car was seen in flood waters with its hazard lights flashing. Police from The Hume Local Area Command and the State Emergency Service conducted a search; however, they were unable to locate the vehicle.In a separate incident at Bowral, emergency services were called to Mittagong Creek about 5.30pm yesterday (Sunday 5 June 2016), following reports a car was seen in flood waters with its hazard lights flashing. Police from The Hume Local Area Command and the State Emergency Service conducted a search; however, they were unable to locate the vehicle.
At 8.30am today, a vehicle was located in Mittagong Creek on Mittagong Road, Bowral. Police recovered the vehicle and located the body of a 65-year-old man who is yet to be formally identified.At 8.30am today, a vehicle was located in Mittagong Creek on Mittagong Road, Bowral. Police recovered the vehicle and located the body of a 65-year-old man who is yet to be formally identified.
Reports will be prepared for the Coroner.Reports will be prepared for the Coroner.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.14am BSTat 3.14am BST
3.10am BST3.10am BST
03:1003:10
Tasmanian police hold grave concerns for two elderly people missing as heavy rain drenches the island state, AAP reports.Tasmanian police hold grave concerns for two elderly people missing as heavy rain drenches the island state, AAP reports.
Search and rescue specialists are searching in Ouse after reports a man in his 80s may have been swept away by flood waters.Search and rescue specialists are searching in Ouse after reports a man in his 80s may have been swept away by flood waters.
Another elderly man was rescued from his Latrobe home earlier on Monday morning by helicopter as water inundated his home but his wife is missing.Another elderly man was rescued from his Latrobe home earlier on Monday morning by helicopter as water inundated his home but his wife is missing.
#BREAKING Two people reportedly missing in #Tasmania: man in his 80s in #Ouse + female in #Latrobe. More to come.#BREAKING Two people reportedly missing in #Tasmania: man in his 80s in #Ouse + female in #Latrobe. More to come.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.11am BSTat 3.11am BST
3.01am BST3.01am BST
03:0103:01
Police confirm two NSW floodwater deaths and a search for a third is underwayPolice confirm two NSW floodwater deaths and a search for a third is underway
According to AAP: Police have confirmed the body of a 65-year-old man was found on Monday in a vehicle in Mittagong Creek near Bowral after he was reported missing on Sunday.The body of another man has been found in a ute at Leppington in Sydney’s southwest, with police searching for another person who was reportedly swept away.According to AAP: Police have confirmed the body of a 65-year-old man was found on Monday in a vehicle in Mittagong Creek near Bowral after he was reported missing on Sunday.The body of another man has been found in a ute at Leppington in Sydney’s southwest, with police searching for another person who was reportedly swept away.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.02am BSTat 3.02am BST
2.58am BST
02:58
Guardian Australia’s Graham Russell has taken some photos outside Avoca Beach surf club today, which is about 95km north of Sydney.
The work of last night's high tide outside Avoca beach surf club. #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/2EeL8fWXSB
Graham tells me: “The boat ramp has been dislodged, recycle bins on the concrete slab are gone, the club has been sandbagged, the walkway is half gone, bricks are all over the car park, but only a couple of houses appear to be damaged. Surf looks awesome so plenty of snappers about. Consensus seems to be it’s not as bad as ‘74. Still saw a jet skier out.”
Avoca beach walkway - bricks from here ended up in car park #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/BZGE2q46Q0
Updated
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2.54am BST
02:54
Josh Bartlett, a reporter with Southern Highland News, reports that a man has died after being trapped in his vehicle in Mittagong Creek. It is unclear whether this is one of the two deaths NSW police are referring to. Bartlett reports:
On Monday morning, local police and assisting crew discovered a 65-year-old Mittagong man behind the wheel of his silver Mazda in Mittagong Creek (behind Bowral Swimming Pool).
Chief Inspector John Sheehan said police were notified at 5.30pm on Sunday about a car being possibly stuck in the creek.
Chief Insp Sheehan said police with assistance from SES, Goulburn Police Rescue and council crew discovered the man deceased in his vehicle at about 8.30am on Monday.
“We are preparing a report for the coroner and investigations will continue,” he said.
Meanwhile, another body has been found in Sydney’s south-west, the ABC reports. Again, unclear if this is one of the two deaths NSW police are shortly to issue a statement about.
#BREAKING Man's body found in floodwaters at Leppington in Sydney's south west. Search underway for possible second body
2.47am BST
02:47
NSW police say they will be issuing a statement shortly about the two deaths in that state.
2.43am BST
02:43
Tragically, it appears there may have also been floodwater-related deaths in NSW. I’ll try to get more details shortly.
#BREAKING: Police operation near Camden to retrieve two bodies suspected to be swept from ute. #9News https://t.co/3kTbWfiQyZ
2.40am BST
02:40
From ABC News 24:
That east coast low is now moving towards Tasmania, where four of the State’s major rivers are at bursting point ahead of more torrential rain.
They’re expecting another 100mm there over the next few days. The State Emergency Service says river levels in Launceston have already surpassed those from back in 1929 when floods left 5,000 people homeless. There are major flood warnings for [several] river basins. There’s also a risk of flooding around Kimberley, Railton, Latrobe and Forth in the north-west.
But the good news is, people can be reassured that there’s been a lot of changes obviously to emergency response and arrangements since 1929.
Updated
at 2.41am BST
2.22am BST
02:22
In the wake of the tragic death, the chief executive officer of the ACT State Emergency Service, Conrad Barr, has urged people not to drive through floodwaters. It has to be said that there is no indication that the 37 year-old who died was deliberately chasing floodwaters to drive through in his four-wheel drive. The circumstances leading up to the tragedy is a matter of police investigation. However, Barr warns:
Don’t try to drive through floodwaters. It doesn’t matter what you think, the current is often a lot faster than it appears, and sometimes under a couple of centimetres of dirty, muddy water you can have part of a roadway or great big holes, boulders, logs, all sorts of things that can catch your vehicle and it doesn’t take too much water and pressure against the side of a vehicle to turn it into a temporary boat.
[I] can’t stress more highly, please don’t try to drive through floodwaters, and steer clear of things like storm-water drains and all those sorts of things. I know it might look spectacular but it’s far safer being inside, out of the rain.
37yo man dead after being swept away by 'savage' floodwaters in Cotter River near Canberra: https://t.co/FkIbMPkIve https://t.co/aR9nve1aXE
2.15am BST
02:15
More from Sgt Hains, who said police came across the man stuck in his vehicle and unable to cross floodwaters at about 4.30pm yesterday. His body was not found and recovered until this morning, Hains said.
During the course of trying to ascertain a safe method to extract that male, the vehicle has shifted and the male has disappeared from view along with the vehicle. A search was then undertaken and a short time later, police, along with emergency services, ACT Fire and Rescue, located what we believe to be a a body stuck in raging floodwaters on an island in the middle of the river.
Police and emergency services worked on a plan together to try to retrieve the deceased. It was not safe to to so last night and police maintained a presence there all night. And this morning, ACT emergency services and ACT policing resources reconvened at the scene and have retrieved the body of a 37-year-old male.
Updated
at 2.20am BST
2.10am BST
02:10
Police say the body of a 37-year-old man has been recovered from the Cotter River
Police are holding a press conference about the body found in the Cotter River, and the details are tragic. Station Sgt Harry Hains says:
We got a call in relation to two young males who’d been out four-wheel driving and they realised they couldn’t get back across the river. Police attended, along with emergency services, Fire and Rescue, to go and assist those males.
In the course of trying to locate a safe point for those males, we located another vehicle, stuck in the river, with a male in the vehicle. That is the vehicle which was subsequently swept by the floodwaters, flipped and disappeared from view, with the male’s body subsequently being recovered early this morning.
So that man was still alive when police...
That is correct.
He said the man was in a four-wheel drive, and that the car was yet to be recovered. Hains said he understood the man had been trying to cross a bush track. The man’s family had been notified, he said.
I’d like to also say it’s an absolute tragedy and our condolences go out to the family.
Hains added that he did not know why the man had been out driving. But he issued a warning to anyone considering driving through the floodwaters.
What I would like to say is that these types of weather conditions, extreme weather conditions we’ve experienced, do lead adventure-seeking type people to seek mud with their four-wheel drives. There is no risk worth taking to cross a flooded river to go and seek some piece of dirt to drive your four-wheel drive on. If a river looks too deep to cross, it’s too deep to cross.
Body of 37 yr old Canberra man recovered from Cotter River this am. Washed away in car yesterday. @abcnewsCanberra pic.twitter.com/haxTwzqkTe
Updated
at 2.21am BST
1.59am BST
01:59
Meanwhile, in Victoria.
Richard Carlyon, a senior forecaster with the state’s Bureau of Meteorology says the wild weather has only “just glanced” Victoria. The far eastern corner of the state in East Gippsland is the only region affected by the weather system, Carlyon says. But things should be back to normal there by this evening.
“Heavy rain is still continuing in East Gippsland but it has started to ease a little this morning,” Carlyon says.
“We’ll see that be maintained for the next six hours and then the rain will clear later this afternoon. By tonight they should be back to mostly fine conditions. We have four flood warnings current and we’ll keep an eye on the rivers in East Gippsland, but this weather has only really just glanced our state.”
The heaviest rainfall in the last two hours were in Genoa, with 171mm, Gabo island with 157mm and Mallacoota with 153mm.
Flood Watch for East Gippsland (Mitchell, Tambo, Snowy, Cann and Genoa Rivers and Gippsland Lakes): https://t.co/DgPm8j7e6X #vicfloods
1.39am BST
01:39
I have just spoken to ACT police media, who have confirmed a body has been found in the Cotter river area, but that is all they can say at this stage. The SES and police will be holding a media conference at 11am with more details.
A body has been found in the Cotter River. It is believed they were swept away in flood waters. #9Today https://t.co/aTbs03Obf5
Updated
at 1.42am BST