Record-breaking flood emergency in NSW as thousands remain without power in SA
Flooding across the New South Wales Central West is forecast to break records as a wild weather system wreaks havoc across multiple states.
Major flooding is occurring in multiple areas including Parkes, Forbes, Eugowra, Molong, Cowra, Canowindra, Blayney, Young, and Yass.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Steven Bernasconi warned Forbes could break the 1952 flood record of 10.79 as water levels are expected to rise to 10.8 metres on Thursday.
At Eugowra there were 140 flood rescues in the town overnight with more than 100 of those from a roof, Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said.
“This means with a population of 700, more than one in five residents have been rescued by helicopter or boat,” she said.
Bernasconi said the river at Eugowra reached major levels of 9.7 metres this morning and is now falling slowly.
Residents still have their sense of humour despite the flood emergency.
“Luke always wanted a creek running through his property, maybe he’ll second guess that idea because we have a literal house surrounded by water,” a Eugowra resident said.
Condobolin, which remains cut off by floodwaters, will see renewed river rises from tomorrow and the Lachlan River is currently at 7.3 metres.
Bathurst has also seen fast-flowing river rises with the peak expected this afternoon at seven metres, higher than the 1998 record of 6.7 metres.
In Canowindra, more than 120mm of rain fell in less than 12 hours shocking residents.
“I went to school in Canowindra and I’ve never seen a flood like this in my life,” one local said.
International aid on the way as flood event enters 62nd day
Cooke said 12 flood rescue operators have been recruited from New Zealand to help with the weather emergency as the Central West hits the 62nd day of the flooding event.
“They’ll be heading straight to Parkes tomorrow to support the SES and other emergency service personnel,” she said.
The government is also in talks with the US and Singapore for assistance.
Isolated storms could bring more rain this week
Bernasconi warned there may be isolated severe storms over the state’s north-east today, bringing damaging wind gusts which could fell trees in already saturated ground.
In terms of the forecast for the remainder of the week, Bernasconi said there could be a severe thunderstorm over the NSW North Coast on Wednesday afternoon.
“From Tuesday onwards, severe thunderstorms are still possible over parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast and they’re extending east of the ranges on Wednesday,” he said.
“Cooler temperatures are forecast over much of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday in wake of the system. With that, you can expect temperatures for inland NSW which will fall 10C below average.
“Snow is forecast to develop on the alps on Tuesday with snow getting to around 900 metres on Tuesday night. There may be a dusting on the Central Tablelands.”
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Nearly 40 schools remain without power in South Australia
Meanwhile, in South Australia, nearly 40 schools remain without power after the savage weekend storms.
The intense thunderstorms generated more than 100,000 lightning strikes along with winds of up to 106km/h.
Department of Education chief executive Martin Westwall said hundreds of SACE students were meant to sit exams today.
“The SACE board’s got a process, just as if it was a bushfire or the student was ill or something like that, to make sure that no student is disadvantaged by not sitting the exam today,” he said.
More than 30,000 homes and businesses remain without power.
It follows a peak of 163,000 customers left in the dark as the state suffers its worst outage since the 2016 statewide blackout.
The SES has reported 145 calls for help today.
Matt Brady, who lives in one of the worst-hit areas in Hawthorndene, said parts of his home and cars have been damaged while his family of four has been left without power since Saturday.
“We don’t have any mobile service, we don’t have any power, we don’t have two cars that have been damaged, we’ve just lodged three insurance claims yesterday and each slugs you a 1000 bucks excess,” he said.
Paul Roberts from SA Power Networks said some people could be left without power until Wednesday and possibly even longer.
“The vast majority (will have power) back tomorrow. We’re trying to manage expectations, obviously because this is such a major event in terms of the impact on the network,” he said.
The damage and debris could take weeks to clear and repair as crews race to reach those affected.
In Melbourne, heavy rain and storms overnight left 500 Victorians calling emergency services for help.
Major to moderate flood warnings are in place for parts of the state, particularly in areas that were only recently inundated by water.
