Weather live updates ADF joins NSW flood teams; BOM warns wet weather ‘far from over’; 8000 call for help in Sydney;
BREAKING ADF joins flood rescue efforts
The Australian Defence Force has joined the rescue and relief effort in NSW, sending two search and rescue helicopters to flooded areas.
“The search and rescue choppers will be able to work through night and day and supporting personnel will be made available to make this happen,” David Littleproud, the Minister for Emergency Management, said in a statement tonight.
“Both will have the capability to winch and recover in the dangerous flood areas.
“They will operate out of Nowra and Bega on the New South Wales south coast.”
Starting tomorrow, an Air Element Commander will work within the SES State Control Centre in Wollongong to coordinate with efforts already underway, Mr Littleproud said.
“The State Emergency Services have been working around the clock saving lives and protecting property.”
“With the rain still coming and people isolated the flooding is far from over.
“The addition of the ADF will add a critical capability and expertise to the State Emergency Services’ gallant efforts.”
Crews rescuing a family from floodwaters on the NSW Mid North Coast have had to fend off snakes looking for refuge in their boat overnight.
The Fire and Rescue NSW flood rescue specialists were wading 1km in total darkness to reach the family when the snakes “jumped into the life raft”.
The team was faced with the skin-crawling task of removing the serpents on their mission to collect the two adults and four children, aged two, four, six and eight, from their house in Sancrox near Port Macquarie.
It was one of hundreds rescues across the state as floodwaters continue to rise, leaving people trapped or stranded.
In Coopernock, 24km north of Taree, FRNSW rescued a mother and her four children after the vehicle they were travelling in became submerged in rising floodwaters. The crew worked tirelessly to assist the family before transporting them to the local evacuation centre.
Further south in Tuncurry, FRNSW crews safely evacuated five adults and four children who had become stranded in floodwaters at a caravan park. With moving and rising floodwaters complicating rescue efforts, the rescue operation took more than three hours.
