Over the weekend, parts of New South Wales and Queensland were subject to torrential rain that has since been described as a “one-in-100-year” weather event, says the MidCoast Council.
Evacuation warnings have been issued in anticipation of more flooding this week, while thousands of rescues have been carried out by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES).
The Bureau of Meteorology said flooding in the Hawkesbury and Nepean areas were expected to reach levels not seen since the floods in 1961, with authorities warning NSW residents that the “prolonged weather event” will continue for the coming days, with Port Macquarie among one of the hardest-hit areas.
“This is different. What we’re going through now is different to what you’ve been through for the last 50 years, so please take it seriously,” said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The Premier added the priority was to save lives and save property as much as is possible, “although, unlike a bushfire, it is very difficult to mitigate against, once the water has come the damage is done.”
Below, photos and videos that show some of the devastating damage caused by the recent floods.