The Manning River at Taree has flooded the town to a level not seen in almost 100 years. The great flood of 1929 saw the river reach 6 metres (20 feet) above normal level. Yesterday, it peaked at 6.4 metres (21 feet). Taree is now completely cut off. Only accessible by boat or helicopter.
Taree has received over 450mm (17 inches) of rain in 24 hours, with more heavy rainfall coming. Fuel supplies are running out, electricity is out, food is dwindling, and all roads to the town are blocked by deep water.
We’ve added some photos to our gallery, depicting the devastation in and around Taree:
Click here to view the gallery
In the past 24 hours, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to 892 incidents, including 130 flood rescues. The majority of these rescues occurred in the Taree, Wingham, and Glenthorne regions. Several of the rescues involved vehicles that had attempted to drive through floodwaters. As conditions worsened overnight, rising floodwaters entered numerous homes, forcing some residents to seek safety on their rooftops.
NSW SES State Duty Commander, Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone, stated that SES personnel, in coordination with other emergency service agencies, are working tirelessly to respond to rescue operations as swiftly and effectively as possible.
Approximately 2,500 emergency personnel have been deployed across affected areas, supported by 500 emergency response assets, including trucks, boats, and helicopters.
Premier Chris Minns confirmed that the federal government is prepared to provide additional support, with Defence personnel already assisting on the ground.
The NSW SES has conducted more than 500 flood rescues in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. SES Commissioner Michael Wassing stated that a significant number of these rescues were the result of motorists attempting to drive through floodwaters—despite repeated public warnings.
“This is precisely why we continually stress the importance of heeding safety messages,” Commissioner Wassing said. “If you can avoid travel, do so. Listen to official warnings and under no circumstances drive through floodwaters.”
He also warned that the rapidly changing conditions are leading some individuals to delay evacuation decisions until it is too late to leave safely.
Residents are strongly encouraged to download the Hazards Near Me app and stay informed through official updates on the SES website.
