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Three dead and more missing after east coast storms – rolling report Search for person missing in wild sea at Bondi – rolling report
(35 minutes later)
7.18am BST
07:18
Tasmania braces itself for unprecedented weather and extensive damage
Let’s take stock.
1/3 Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the severe weather events around the country.
2/3 My Gov stands ready to assist and support the work of emergency personnel on the ground who have been putting their lives on the line
3/3 Please stay away from floodwaters, do not travel through floodwaters, stay on high ground.
Updated
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6.51am BST
06:51
Best to avoid the Bondi to Coogee walk for a while.
Another high tide tonight @BondiCoogeeWalk #coogee #surf #club pic.twitter.com/PJi9AqqzFk
Before and after the King Tide #coogee @SouthernCourier @bnotleysmith pic.twitter.com/jgcnr7cQqm
6.46am BST6.46am BST
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From the opposition leader:From the opposition leader:
These storms have done terrible damage, devastating lives have now been lost. Our love to their families, our thanks to emergency services.These storms have done terrible damage, devastating lives have now been lost. Our love to their families, our thanks to emergency services.
And during a press conference in Melbourne earlier today, the prime minister Malcolm Turnbull expressed his sadness about the three lives lost. And during a press conference in Melbourne earlier today, the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, expressed his sadness about the three lives lost.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.49am BST at 6.53am BST
6.43am BST6.43am BST
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Mayor says the Latrobe area in Tasmania is facing an "unprecedented" situationMayor says the Latrobe area in Tasmania is facing an "unprecedented" situation
Many residents have been evacuated from the northern Tasmanian town of La Trobe on the Mersey River. The mayor of Latrobe Council, Peter Freshney, is being interviewed by ABC News 24 about the mass evacuations that have occurred there. The area is bracing itself for a peak in the river flow between now and 7pm, an unprecedented situation. many locals are saying they have never seen flooding like this before. Many residents have been evacuated from the northern Tasmanian town of La Trobe on the Mersey river. The mayor of Latrobe council, Peter Freshney, is being interviewed by ABC News 24 about the mass evacuations that have occurred there. The area is bracing itself for a peak in the river flow between now and 7pm, an unprecedented situation. Many locals are saying they have never seen flooding like this before.
Give us an update on those evacuations, have most people been moved out?Give us an update on those evacuations, have most people been moved out?
The majority of people who have been affected by the flooding have been evacuated. Just over 110 at this stage. We’ve been utilising both helicopter and army vehicles to evacuate those people and they’re being evacuated out to higher ground and in some cases to an emergency evacuation centre that we set up.The majority of people who have been affected by the flooding have been evacuated. Just over 110 at this stage. We’ve been utilising both helicopter and army vehicles to evacuate those people and they’re being evacuated out to higher ground and in some cases to an emergency evacuation centre that we set up.
What are your major concerns this afternoon and overnight?What are your major concerns this afternoon and overnight?
That we try and evacuate anybody left who whose property is inundated with water. We can’t be absolutely certain of that and given that we’re expecting a peak in the river flow between now and 7pm tonight, we’re sitting here awaiting that peak and working as hard as we can to ensure that all the people who need evacuating are evacuated.That we try and evacuate anybody left who whose property is inundated with water. We can’t be absolutely certain of that and given that we’re expecting a peak in the river flow between now and 7pm tonight, we’re sitting here awaiting that peak and working as hard as we can to ensure that all the people who need evacuating are evacuated.
This is an unprecedented event for Launceston ... what is it like in your role to manage this situation, to know how to direct people and allay their fears around this?This is an unprecedented event for Launceston ... what is it like in your role to manage this situation, to know how to direct people and allay their fears around this?
We’ve got a really good team here and we have the emergency services control centre set up here in our council chambers. The mayor can only be as good as the people who serve him.We’ve got a really good team here and we have the emergency services control centre set up here in our council chambers. The mayor can only be as good as the people who serve him.
We’re breaking new ground here. We had a [similar event] here in the early ‘70s, it’s rated similar but the circumstances have changed. The impact of the water and the flow of the water, is unknown. And as I say we’re getting major flows from upstream and getting reports of significant peaks and they’re really starting to worry us. We’re breaking new ground here. We had a [similar event] here in the early ‘70s, it’s rated similar but the circumstances have changed. The impact of the water and the flow of the water is unknown. And as I say we’re getting major flows from upstream and getting reports of significant peaks and they’re really starting to worry us.
How major does the damage look?How major does the damage look?
We will have major infrastructure damage, without question, people will have property damage to their houses and the like, we understand there’s been significant stock loss, hundreds of cattle have been lost on particular farms upstream.We will have major infrastructure damage, without question, people will have property damage to their houses and the like, we understand there’s been significant stock loss, hundreds of cattle have been lost on particular farms upstream.
We’ve seen a number of dead cattle and the like being washed downstream so it’s going to impact right across our municipality and in the wider region in terms of personal properties farms and industry, our local community, it will have a huge impact that there’ll be huge cost. But we’re really focusing on the people and rescuing them and a lot of work done to ensure that we can help them as best we can in the recovery process.We’ve seen a number of dead cattle and the like being washed downstream so it’s going to impact right across our municipality and in the wider region in terms of personal properties farms and industry, our local community, it will have a huge impact that there’ll be huge cost. But we’re really focusing on the people and rescuing them and a lot of work done to ensure that we can help them as best we can in the recovery process.
These 2 made it to high ground but many have not been so lucky. "Significant stock losses" says Mayor Peter Freshney pic.twitter.com/itxcu7phBbThese 2 made it to high ground but many have not been so lucky. "Significant stock losses" says Mayor Peter Freshney pic.twitter.com/itxcu7phBb
Updated
at 6.54am BST
6.30am BST6.30am BST
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Tasmania police minister Rene Hidding has urged people to stay away from the water. Tasmania’s police minister, Rene Hidding, has urged people to stay away from the water.
Can I call on all Tasmanians to be absolutely responsible in the coming days. There is no circumstances where anybody should risk their lives.Can I call on all Tasmanians to be absolutely responsible in the coming days. There is no circumstances where anybody should risk their lives.
Don’t try to take nature on – it leads to tragedy. We already have grave fears for two of our fellow citizens and we pray for them.Don’t try to take nature on – it leads to tragedy. We already have grave fears for two of our fellow citizens and we pray for them.
There is simply no case to enter flood waters with a motor vehicle or in person.There is simply no case to enter flood waters with a motor vehicle or in person.
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at 6.31am BST at 6.55am BST
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The Tamar River in Tasmania has been smashed by the storms. The Tamar river in Tasmania has been smashed by the storms.
Tamar River at Home Point terminal #TasFloods pic.twitter.com/QjthOGabaPTamar River at Home Point terminal #TasFloods pic.twitter.com/QjthOGabaP
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6.13am BST6.13am BST
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"What do we have to say to get the message across?" – NSW police frustrated at risk-takers"What do we have to say to get the message across?" – NSW police frustrated at risk-takers
NSW police are frustrated that people are still entering the water despite numerous warning still in place not to take on floodwaters or beaches.NSW police are frustrated that people are still entering the water despite numerous warning still in place not to take on floodwaters or beaches.
They have just issued a statement urging people to be sensible. It comes after police and emergency crews faced the horrific task of recovering the bodies of two men from waterways at Leppington and Mittagong this morning. Police say:They have just issued a statement urging people to be sensible. It comes after police and emergency crews faced the horrific task of recovering the bodies of two men from waterways at Leppington and Mittagong this morning. Police say:
NSW police and the State Emergency Service are at a loss as to what more can be said and done to get the message across about the dangers of entering flood waters. Police and emergency services this morning recovered the bodies of two men from waterways at Leppington and Mittagong.NSW police and the State Emergency Service are at a loss as to what more can be said and done to get the message across about the dangers of entering flood waters. Police and emergency services this morning recovered the bodies of two men from waterways at Leppington and Mittagong.
Acting assistant commissioner Kyle Stewart said despite the constant warnings about the dangers of entering flood areas we now have two men who have died. The acting assistant commissioner, Kyle Stewart, said despite the constant warnings about the dangers of entering flood areas we now have two men who have died.
“It is a tragedy these two lives have been lost. We simply do not know how either of these two men came to be in the flood waters. But what we know is that their deaths show just how dangerous flood waters are,” acting assistant commissioner Stewart said. “It is a tragedy these two lives have been lost. We simply do not know how either of these two men came to be in the flood waters. But what we know is that their deaths show just how dangerous flood waters are,” Stewart said.
“What do we have to say to get the message across? Emergency service personnel this morning have had the devastating task of retrieving the bodies of the men.“What do we have to say to get the message across? Emergency service personnel this morning have had the devastating task of retrieving the bodies of the men.
“Flood waters are deadly – we can’t put it any other way.”“Flood waters are deadly – we can’t put it any other way.”
Emergency service personnel are frustrated at the number of flood rescues conducted over the weekend, which tied up valuable resources because of warnings about entering flood affected areas being ignored.Emergency service personnel are frustrated at the number of flood rescues conducted over the weekend, which tied up valuable resources because of warnings about entering flood affected areas being ignored.
Some of the flood rescues since Friday include four teenagers from the surf at Stockton and two tourists from the water at Foster yesterday.Some of the flood rescues since Friday include four teenagers from the surf at Stockton and two tourists from the water at Foster yesterday.
“While the east coast low has now passed northern NSW and Sydney, the south coast is being hit,” Stewart said. “We can’t be complacent. Please heed our advice, your life could depend on it.”“While the east coast low has now passed northern NSW and Sydney, the south coast is being hit,” Stewart said. “We can’t be complacent. Please heed our advice, your life could depend on it.”
The message comes as emergency crews are currently trying to rescue police a person swept away by waves at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.The message comes as emergency crews are currently trying to rescue police a person swept away by waves at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
Police and rescue crews are searching Bondi beach after reports a person was swept off rocks @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/S83Jbm6kywPolice and rescue crews are searching Bondi beach after reports a person was swept off rocks @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/S83Jbm6kyw
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.30am BST at 6.56am BST
6.01am BST6.01am BST
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Back in NSW, AAP reports that surf lifesavers and police are attempting to rescue a person swept away by wild waves at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The beach has been closed to swimmers and surfers due to the wild weather.Back in NSW, AAP reports that surf lifesavers and police are attempting to rescue a person swept away by wild waves at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The beach has been closed to swimmers and surfers due to the wild weather.
6.00am BST6.00am BST
06:0006:00
The Mercury is reporting that one of the two people missing in Tasmanian floodwaters is an 81-year-old man, who was swept into the rising Ouse River from his backyard: The Mercury is reporting that one of the two people missing in Tasmanian floodwaters is an 81-year-old man, who was swept into the rising Ouse river from his backyard:
Tasmania Police Sergeant Adrian Leary said the elderly man was swept away at around 8am by a flash flood after feeding his sheep. Tasmania police sergeant Adrian Leary said the elderly man was swept away at around 8am by a flash flood after feeding his sheep.
The property is alongside the Ouse River and part of the backyard is under water. “We believe initially he had gone out to check some stock which were nearby his house on a small rise,” Sgt Leary said The property is alongside the Ouse river and part of the backyard is under water. “We believe initially he had gone out to check some stock which were nearby his house on a small rise,” Leary said.
“By the time he checked them and came back it’s possible he may have slipped and struck by a flash flood and swept away.“By the time he checked them and came back it’s possible he may have slipped and struck by a flash flood and swept away.
“His wife has seen him sink to his knees but other than that there are no other witnesses.”“His wife has seen him sink to his knees but other than that there are no other witnesses.”
Sgt Leary said a rescue helicopter, police boat and ground crews were still looking but that rising river levels were problematic.Sgt Leary said a rescue helicopter, police boat and ground crews were still looking but that rising river levels were problematic.
“We have some grave concerns for the safety of this elderly gentleman,” he said.“We have some grave concerns for the safety of this elderly gentleman,” he said.
“The family very upset at the moment and hope is still there but the longer we go the more concerned we are.”“The family very upset at the moment and hope is still there but the longer we go the more concerned we are.”
Sgt Leary said police had been advised river levels were still rising and were considering closing the Ouse River bridge as it could be completely submerged by water in the next few hours. Sgt Leary said police had been advised river levels were still rising and were considering closing the Ouse river bridge as it could be completely submerged by water in the next few hours.
Updated
at 6.57am BST
5.51am BST5.51am BST
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Some more pics of the destruction currently unfolding in Tassie:Some more pics of the destruction currently unfolding in Tassie:
What is left of our access rd. Pumping Station Rd Forth TAS #TasFloods #SES @Spoonyman @Heart1073 @theadvocatetas pic.twitter.com/uFYGzFTBBvWhat is left of our access rd. Pumping Station Rd Forth TAS #TasFloods #SES @Spoonyman @Heart1073 @theadvocatetas pic.twitter.com/uFYGzFTBBv
#Tasfloods Avoid all contact with floodwaters where possible as they may be contaminated by sewage and animal waste #politas#Tasfloods Avoid all contact with floodwaters where possible as they may be contaminated by sewage and animal waste #politas
The power of Tassie rivers on display today with dramatic pics in teh state's North https://t.co/JVVeM8axO2 #TasFloods #thisistassieThe power of Tassie rivers on display today with dramatic pics in teh state's North https://t.co/JVVeM8axO2 #TasFloods #thisistassie
Boats in trouble in big seas at Bicheno #TasFloods pic.twitter.com/hRpNb46M7tBoats in trouble in big seas at Bicheno #TasFloods pic.twitter.com/hRpNb46M7t
Pumping Station Rd Forth Valley #TasFloods @Spoonyman @abcnewsTas @theadvocatetas @ExaminerOnline pic.twitter.com/wiTex1pWZYPumping Station Rd Forth Valley #TasFloods @Spoonyman @abcnewsTas @theadvocatetas @ExaminerOnline pic.twitter.com/wiTex1pWZY
5.37am BST5.37am BST
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Crazy #drone footage of the erosion at Collaroy in Sydney's north from UNSW's Water Research Lab #eastcoastlow https://t.co/eivWbqZMDOCrazy #drone footage of the erosion at Collaroy in Sydney's north from UNSW's Water Research Lab #eastcoastlow https://t.co/eivWbqZMDO
5.30am BST
05:30
Coogee surf club in NSW is on the brink of collapse. Crews are working hard to prevent that.
According to AAP, dangerous swells have washed an entire section of the club, on Sydney’s eastern beaches, into the ocean:
Walls in the club’s weights room have been knocked down by the swell, which continues to buffet the coast, leaving the room exposed to the wild conditions.
Bars on the windows have been bent backwards and large pieces of gym and weight equipment have also been thrown across the room.
Structural engineers have worked to shore up the roof but the potential for collapse is still a major concern for NSW Fire and Rescue crews, who have already begun the clean-up.
Insurance assessors are also on scene to determine whether the club can be saved, or if it will need to be torn down.
Club president Mark Doepel said the club’s ability to provide surf lifesaving services had been threatened.
“We’ve had significant damage in our boat shed, we’ve lost almost all our lifesaving gear, but more dramatically we’ve had significant damage to the surf club - we’ve lost the greater part of our eastern wall and we are under significant challenge as a club,” Mr Doepel said.
“We are very much up for this challenge, we are very threatened in relation to our ability to offer surf lifesaving to the community but this is one of the oldest clubs in Australia, this is one of the largest clubs in Australia, we are going to come together as members and with the support of the community we are determined to rebuild this club.”
MP and surf club member Matt Thistlethwaite pledged his support for the club in federal parliament to get vital infrastructure back up and running.
Randwick City Council has also reported damage in central Randwick and Maroubra Beach and Mayor Noel D’Souza has urged residents in a statement to remain patient while the damage is assessed and the clean-up process begins.
COOGEE | UPDATE: #FRNSW urban search & rescue team is shoring up bottom floor of surf club. Operations are expected to take some time.
Sydney wild weather: Coogee SLSC ‘like a bomb site’ https://t.co/fNPImriRXS
Coogee post #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/glGx9zBdiz
5.19am BST
05:19
As the damaging weather unleashes on Tasmania, NSW premier Mike Baird is inspecting the devastation the storm left in its wake in his state.
But the extensive damage to beaches and property “goes into insignificance” given three men had lost their lives, he said. From AAP:
We come with a heavy heart,” Baird said at Collaroy beach, where several million-dollar plus homes were hanging precariously over the sand after being smashed by eight metre waves that washed away 10 to 15 metres of the coastline.
“It was a storm so ferocious, it took life from us.”
Police confirmed on Monday that the body of a 65-year-old man was found in a car in Mittagong Creek near Bowral, after the man was reported missing on Sunday.
Emergency services descended on Mittagong Creek on Sunday evening after a car was spotted in floodwaters with its hazard lights flashing.
On Monday morning the man’s body was discovered inside his silver Mazda.
The man is yet to be formally identified and investigations are ongoing.
The body of another man was found in a white ute at Leppington in Sydney’s southwest on Monday after police and State Emergency Service crews searched the flood-ravaged area into Sunday night without success.
Police divers retrieved the man’s body at about 11.30am on Monday and efforts are underway to winch his ute from Rileys Creek. News of the men’s deaths came after a 37-year-old Canberra man died after his car was caught in floodwaters near the Cotter Dam.
While most of us spent today trying to keep dry & warm, our SES spent today coming to the rescue. Heartfelt thanks. pic.twitter.com/BWnsefFzr8
5.13am BST
05:13
To Tasmania, where the Emu River in Burnie and the North Esk River in Launceston have broken their banks. There are now six catchments where major flood warnings apply in the state. Two people have been reported missing.
Rivers bursting banks in #Tasmania - Emu River, Burnie #BigWetTas pic.twitter.com/aH1Y8Q5Ivp
North Esk River at St Leonards #Launceston #flood #abcnort @abcnorthtas pic.twitter.com/t4g5NUMRP8
River Derwent joins 5 other TAS catchments with MAJOR flood warnings. Check here: https://t.co/MdsE15q3s7 #BigWetTas pic.twitter.com/uWpVUuzyeq
#TAS Latest major flood warning for North Esk River. Highest recorded flooding in catchment https://t.co/7iNV0A1Dag pic.twitter.com/xD0qFde5AI
Updated
at 5.14am BST
5.06am BST
05:06
At Woolgoolga, north of Coffs Harbour, about 20% of banana crops have been destroyed, AAP reports.
“Some farmers are reporting that up to 50% of their bananas have been wiped away,” NSW Farmers spokesman Michael Burt said on Monday.
Meanwhile, there are reports that 1000 chickens have been killed in storms on the NSW mid-north coast, as oyster farmers at Port Macquarie assess damage to their catcheries.
However, Dan Cooper from NSW Farmers said the rain had been great for the grain industry.
He said farmers in northwest NSW received a 50-70mm dumping, and those in the state’s southwest were also singing in the rain.
“We’ll go close to having a full plant across NSW for the first time in about four years,” he said.
“You certainly wouldn’t want to see another couple of inches, but it’s been great start to the winter season.”
Updated
at 5.11am BST
5.05am BST
05:05
This is Elliott, a very wet wombat, aka a “mudbat”.
The photo was taken by Phil Melzer – who along with his partner, Donna Stepan – runs the Sleepy Burrows sanctuary for orphaned or at-risk wombats in New South Wales.
Sleepy Burrows mudbat
Elliott the wombat turns mudbat at Sleepy Burrows after devastating rains on the southern tablelands of NSW wreck sanctuary infrastructure and flood burrows. Cynthia holding Elliott. Photo: Phil Melzer
Sent via Guardian Witness
By Cynthia Coppock
6 June 2016, 11:06
Updated
at 5.11am BST
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.