This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/20/nsw-flash-flooding-floods-weather-newcastle-taree-warnings-school-closures

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Intense rain in NSW leads to evacuation orders for towns and 22 flood rescues Intense rain in NSW leads to evacuation orders for towns and 22 flood rescues
(about 3 hours later)
Mid-north coast and Hunter region cops barrage of extreme weather, with more than 30 schools closed and people in Taree advised to take shelterMid-north coast and Hunter region cops barrage of extreme weather, with more than 30 schools closed and people in Taree advised to take shelter
Persistent and heavy rain that has brought significant flash flooding to New South Wales is showing no signs of stopping, after forcing a stack of emergency calls and evacuations. Persistent and heavy rain has caused flash flooding in New South Wales, with emergency services responding to more than 2,000 calls and assisting with evacuations.
Much of NSW’s mid-north coast and Hunter region has copped the barrage, with 22 flood rescues performed overnight in those areas. Much of NSW’s mid-north coast and Hunter region has copped the barrage, with 22 flood rescues performed overnight.
Taree, on the state’s mid-north coast, took the worst of the rain with more than 160mm in six hours overnight, and 267mm since 9am on Monday. Taree experienced the worst rain, with more than 160mm falling in six hours overnight and 267mm since 9am on Monday.
“We’ve seen significant flooding in Taree overnight, a couple of the flood rescues we undertook were for people in houses in locations where water rose incredibly swiftly over their floors and they had to be relocated again, all brought to safety,” NSW State Emergency Service chief superintendent of state operations, Dallas Byrnes, told ABC TV. “We’ve seen significant flooding in Taree overnight, a couple of the flood rescues we undertook were for people in houses in locations where water rose incredibly swiftly over their floors and they had to be relocated again, all brought to safety,” the NSW State Emergency Service chief superintendent of state operations, Dallas Byrnes, told ABC TV.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailSign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
As of Tuesday morning, the SES had received 2,000 calls in the previous 24 hours, responded to 1,400 incidents, evacuated 60 people and performed 22 flood rescues. As of Tuesday morning, the SES had received 2,000 calls in 24 hours, responded to 1,400 incidents, evacuated 60 people and performed 22 flood rescues.
Minor to major warnings for flooding on catchments across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions remained in place, while people in Taree were being advised to take shelter. Minor to major warnings for flooding on catchments across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions remained in place, while people in Taree were advised to take shelter.
The SES also asked people in isolated locations in the area to evacuate, including at Dungog, Paterson, Gloucester, Bulahdelah and Chinchester Dam. The SES asked people in isolated locations in the area to evacuate, including at Dungog, Paterson, Gloucester, Bulahdelah and Chinchester Dam.
“We are asking the community to be really, really conscious of their location … we are seeing lots of local creeks rise very quickly,” Byrnes said.“We are asking the community to be really, really conscious of their location … we are seeing lots of local creeks rise very quickly,” Byrnes said.
“We have had numerous rescues from people entering flood waters [but] we’ve also done the majority from people who’ve just been in the wrong place, and flash flooding has taken them by surprise.”“We have had numerous rescues from people entering flood waters [but] we’ve also done the majority from people who’ve just been in the wrong place, and flash flooding has taken them by surprise.”
The Bureau of Meteorology was predicting rain levels between 60 to 100mm in six hours on Tuesday in parts of the mid-north coast and Hunter, increasing to 100 too 190mm in isolated locations. The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said 1,600 SES personnel had been deployed, 68 schools had closed and there were emergency centres open in Dungog, Gloucester and Taree.
While damaging winds and surf were expected to ease later on Tuesday, the extreme weather was tipped to stick around for some days. “We’re asking for common sense, a sense of community coming together,” he said.
“These are resilient towns. They’ve been through a lot before. We’re hoping and praying that the next 24 hours pass without incidents, but we’re ready in case the worst arrives.”
Jenny Aitchison, the minister for roads and regional transport and the member for Maitland, warned people in affected areas not to drive through flood waters.
“I’ve seen some horrendous videos just in the last 24 hours up in the Newcastle area and the Hunter of people driving through flood waters,” she said on Tuesday.
Sign up to Clear Air AustraliaSign up to Clear Air Australia
Adam Morton brings you incisive analysis about the politics and impact of the climate crisisAdam Morton brings you incisive analysis about the politics and impact of the climate crisis
after newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotion
“Heavy falls will remain a risk, particularly across the mid-north coast, with flash and riverine flooding continuing to be the main concern,” BoM senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said. “It only takes driving through 30cm of flood water to significantly shift your car and lose control. You don’t know what damage has happened underneath that car, underneath that road surface.
“With large amounts of water building up over days and impacting roads and low-lying areas, dangerous driving conditions, traffic and transport delays and detours are expected, and some local inundations will continue to occur.” “When you take your car into flood waters, you risk not only your own life, but also the lives of those people who will try and save you. So … please stay off the roads and do not go through flooded waters.”
More than 30 schools will be closed on Tuesday in the mid-north coast, Central Coast and Hunter regions due to flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology was predicting rain levels between 60 to 100mm in six hours on Tuesday in parts of the mid-north coast and Hunter, increasing to 100 too 190mm in isolated locations.
The NSW education department reminded parents that schools do not offer minimal supervision during flood events. While damaging winds and surf were expected to ease later on Tuesday, the extreme weather was tipped to stick around for some days.
“Heavy falls will remain a risk, particularly across the mid-north coast, with flash and riverine flooding continuing to be the main concern,” Sarah Scully, a BoM senior meteorologist, said.
“With large amounts of water building up over days and impacting roads and low-lying areas, dangerous driving conditions, traffic and transport delays and detours are expected and some local inundations will continue to occur.”
More than 30 schools will be closed on Tuesday in the mid-north coast, Central Coast and Hunter regions due to flooding. The NSW education department reminded parents that schools do not offer minimal supervision during flood events.
Trains were not running between Scone, in the upper Hunter, and Newcastle.Trains were not running between Scone, in the upper Hunter, and Newcastle.