27 December 2023

No holiday for SES volunteers as heavy weather batters the coast

| Zoe Cartwright
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SES crew

Volunteers have been working around the clock to provide assistance to households affected by severe storms this week. Photo: SES Wollongong.

NSW SES volunteers across the eastern seaboard spent their Boxing Day giving help to those hammered by heavy storms.

The entire eastern stretch of the state, from Tweed Heads to the Victorian border was under storm watch yesterday (26 December), with several warnings active in densely populated areas, including Gosford, Wyong and parts of Greater Newcastle, Sydney, and the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions.

In the aftermath of yesterday’s onslaught, the NSW SES responded to 473 incidents through to 3 pm on Boxing Day, which included six flood rescues in the southeast of the state.

The flood rescues included a home in Bemboka, near Bega, where two occupants found themselves ankle-deep in floodwater.

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In Laggan, west of Goulburn, volunteers rescued a man who was stranded in his home.

At Kiama, a family was rescued from a caravan and two people were rescued from a car in flash flooding.

At Albion Park, SES volunteers rescued people from two vehicles caught in flash floodwaters.

Crews have continued clean up efforts at Grenfrell today (27 December), after they attended to 59 incidents following a hail storm yesterday.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns highlighted the ongoing concern for the southeastern part of the state.

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While the rain is expected to ease today, catchments are very full, and flood warnings are in place for Moruya, Deua and Tuross rivers.

“Eurobodalla experienced almost 190 millimetres of rain in 24 hours, while additional significant falls near Bega have resulted in a minor flood warning being issued,” he said.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

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