'Overwhelmed' couple who hadn't eaten in days rescued from floodwaters

Saturday, 24 May 2025 21:31

Around 50,000 people in more than a dozen NSW towns remain cut off and for authorities restoring food supplies, medicine and electricity is the number one priority.

The rain may have stopped but authorities have warned the flooding emergency is far from over.

Around 50,000 people in more than a dozen towns remain cut off and for authorities restoring food supplies, medicine and electricity is the number one priority.

Over the last 24 hours, emergency services have responded to more than 864 incidents, including 44 flood rescues.

A helicopter rescued a man at Kempsey Caravan Park who was stuck on his roof for three days.

This included a man at Kempsey Caravan Park who had been stuck on his roof for three days.

The man was winched to safety before emergency services helped his neighbours.

Rob, Liz and their dog Delilah were also rescued and hadn't eaten since Wednesday.

"I'm just overwhelmed, it was scary," Liz said.

"Thankful and grateful I have my husband and puppy, that's all we have."

There are still 148 flood warnings across the state, with 24 emergency level warnings, mostly for isolated towns.

NSW Premier Chris Minns reminded people to look at the Hazards Near Me app, listen to the media and listen to emergency broadcasts to stay up to date.

"I know there's blue skies at the moment, which is good news but we're asking you to look at your app rather than the sky before making a decision.

"The concern we have at the moment is road slippage and landslides. The SES and police have the best and latest information."

Authorities will turn their attention to the clean-up, damage assessment and replenishing supplies.

TAREE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Business owners clean their shop following a flood at Albert street on May 23, 2025 in Taree, Australia. Catastrophic flooding struck the Mid North Coast and other parts of New South Wales, isolating over 50,000 residents, prompting hundreds of rescues, and leaving at least one person dead and several missing as emergency services responded to record-breaking rainfall. (Photo by Roni Bintang/Getty Images)

"Now that we're through the worst of the weather, we want people to be safe during the clean-up phase," Minns said.

Food in these communities is scarce due to many supermarkets losing all their produce.

However the owners of one local IGA were still giving away newly-delivered food to help feed people despite being thousands of dollars out of pocket.

"Our produce had already been delivered to our depot in Coffs Harbour," owner Jodie Simpson said.

"It's just sitting up there going to waste, we thought there are so many people in need in Kempsey, let's help them out."

National Emergency Management Agency said its team is working hard to restore food supply, telecommunications and power to communities.

Some local petrol stations also re-opened for the first time in days.

While the peak of the flood emergency may appear to be over, these communities are now facing the recovery which in some areas could take years.

Authorities estimate almost 10,000 properties will require damage assessment.

The SES said earlier today the situation was still considered dangerous.

"I reiterate this is still a dangerous situation where significant impacts to infrastructure and properties are likely to have occurred," SES Chief Superintendent Paul McQueensaid.

"Unfortunately, it is not possible to let people return to their homes until water further subsides and we're sure they can access their homes and communities safely.

"Homes and businesses may need to be inspected by a qualified electrician."

Residents are still being urged to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters.

"We will continue to resupply those isolated residents by land, water and air as part of our multi-agency response, McQueen said.

"We ask you to be patient, remain in a safe location and please don't be tempted to drive through floodwaters or go sightseeing."

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