Devastation on the Mid North Coast

Communities across the Mid North coast region of New south Wales are beginning to assess the extensive damage caused by recent inundating floods. The number of homes deemed completely uninhabitable has doubled, reaching approximately 800, according to recent assessments. Despite the widespread destruction, there is a sense of cautious optimism as weather conditions are forecast to ease.

State Emergency Service (SES) spokesman Matt Heap reported that 794 homes in the Mid North coast region have been classified as unfit for habitation following more than 5,000 damage assessments. He told AAP on Tuesday that the number of uninhabitable dwellings is expected to rise throughout the day.

Human Impact and Isolation

At the peak of the flooding, approximately 50,000 people were isolated, making the delivery of critical food supplies a major priority. The natural disaster has tragically claimed five lives and continues to leave about 12,000 people isolated.

weather Outlook and Government Response

While the floodwaters begin to recede,the region is bracing for damaging winds. Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore from the Bureau of Meteorology stated:

We do have damaging wind warnings… that includes the high elevated parts of the Mid North Coast and northern Hunter. We could see showers develop this afternoon with strong and gusty winds, but those conditions should ease tonight and then they’ll clear out by Wednesday.
Dean Narramore, Bureau of Meteorology

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to visit the affected region. On Monday, he announced the deployment of 70 Australian Defense Force personnel to assist with recovery and clean-up efforts.

Community Resilience and Support

Affected residents are beginning the arduous task of salvaging their belongings and surveying the damage. Drones have been deployed to drop hay to isolated farms and conduct aerial welfare checks on properties.

Nadia Zarb, an artist and gallery owner in Taree, one of the towns hardest hit, emphasized the importance of community support:

We’ve got the best community, we’ve got the support around us and I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Nadia Zarb, Artist and Gallery Owner

Michael Kemp, state MP for Oxley, which encompasses four local government areas on the Mid North Coast, expressed his dismay at the devastation:

It was tough seeing people’s livelihoods on the side of the kerb.
Michael Kemp, State MP for Oxley

Financial Assistance and Insurance Claims

Insurers have received more than 4,000 claims to date. Federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements, including small loans for businesses, have been activated for 19 local government areas.

Premier chris Minns assured residents that agencies are working diligently to restore communities:

I can assure everybody on the mid-north coast that those agencies are working around the clock to get those communities back up on their feet.
Premier Chris Minns

However,NSW Nationals leader dugald Saunders believes that farmers require more than loans to recover:

What they need is a helping hand in the form of a grant to enable them to uplift their business. The feeling is a little bit starting to get angry now as people wonder where the support actually is.
Dugald Saunders, NSW Nationals Leader

Looting Concerns

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell has issued a warning about looting, following the arrest of two 20-year-old men for allegedly stealing property during flood clean-up operations.He condemned such actions:

The impact of this weather event has been unimaginable and to think they now have to be concerned about hanging on to whatever property they have left is a disgrace.stealing from people vulnerable during hard times like these is un-Australian.
Peter Thurtell, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner