Australian state sees worst floods in more than 60 years

The New South Wales government declares a natural disaster after rivers and a dam overflow; weather situation expected to stay ‘volatile’

Australian state sees worst floods in more than 60 years

Residents wade through a flooded road in western Sydney. Pic/AFP

The Australian government has declared a natural disaster in New South Wales after heavy rains caused flooding in rivers and a dam and thousands had to evacuate.

The NSW and the federal government have signed 16 natural disaster declarations in areas spanning the central and mid-north coast, from Hunter Valley near Sydney to Coff’s Harbour, said NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott in a news conference on Sunday, as reported by CNN.

Areas evacuated include Pitt Town North, Pitt Town Bottoms, low-lying parts of North Richmond, Freemans Reach lowlands, the northern end of Agnes Bank, Gronos Point, and Cornwallis.

“If floodwaters reach 8.19m on the Windsor gauge, escape routes will be cut and as floodwaters rise, the area will flood. If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services and it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you,” SES said in an evacuation warning issued on their website, as reported by Sputnik.

This flood is one of the biggest since 1964, officials said. Millions were urged to stay at home as government said the weather would stay “volatile, dangerous and dynamic”. The emergency service saw 1,940 calls for help.

1,940
No. of emergency calls made by citizens

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