As floodwaters recede across the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions of New South Wales, the scale of the devastation is becoming clear. Premier Chris Minns has described the cleanup effort as a mammoth task, with an estimated 10,000 homes damaged by the recent deluge.

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The Immediate Aftermath

while the skies have cleared after days of relentless rain, the situation remains critical. As of Saturday, 24 emergency warnings were still in effect. The saturated ground poses ongoing risks, including road slippages and landslides. Despite these challenges, Premier Minns emphasized the resilience of the affected communities:

Now we’re thru the worst of the weather, and floodwaters are receding, we want people to be safe during the clean-up phase, and we’re seeing resilient communities doing just that.

Premier chris Minns

Taree: A Town Grappling with Repeated Devastation

Among the hardest-hit areas is Taree, a town still bearing the scars of severe flooding in 2021.Premier Minns acknowledged the immense challenges faced by its residents:

Taree, which was devastated by floods in 2021, had been hit incredibly hard.

Premier Chris Minns

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Residents, farmers, and business owners are now confronting the daunting reality of the damage and the long road to recovery.

The Human Cost and Ongoing Response

Tragically, five people have lost their lives in the floods. Thousands of residents in approximately 15 towns remained isolated as of Saturday afternoon. Emergency services have shifted their focus from rescue operations to delivering essential supplies and assessing the extent of the damage.

Premier Minns expressed his gratitude for the community’s strength in the face of adversity:

We certainly know this is a mammoth task ahead of us. We want to notably acknowledge the enormous courage the local community has had to exhibit in the last few days.

Premier Chris Minns

Sydney’s Southern Suburbs Affected

The impact of the storms extended beyond the Mid North coast and Hunter regions. Clean-up efforts are also underway in parts of sydney,including along the Parramatta river,where debris has accumulated following the storms that swept through the city on Thursday and Friday.

Emergency Services: A Coordinated Effort

Approximately 2,400 emergency services personnel are currently deployed in the flood zones. In the 24 hours leading up to Saturday afternoon, they responded to 864 incidents, including 44 flood rescues. Authorities continue to urge motorists to avoid driving through floodwaters,emphasizing the dangers involved.