Two Men Arrested for Looting Amid NSW Flood Crisis as Authorities Ramp Up Recovery Efforts
Amid widespread devastation across NSW’s Mid North Coast due to severe flooding, two men have been arrested for allegedly looting affected areas.
On Sunday night, a 20-year-old man was apprehended by police after being found searching through belongings on Pulteney Street in Taree. Officers allegedly discovered him in possession of two hunting knives, first aid supplies, a defibrillator, multiple fishing rods, various tools, and other medical equipment. He was denied bail in Taree Local Court on Monday and is scheduled to reappear in June.
Later that night, in a separate incident, police conducted a search of a 4WD vehicle on Albert Street, Taree. The 29-year-old driver was allegedly found with personal documents, tools, and a knife inside the vehicle. He now faces charges for possession of suspected stolen goods, carrying a knife in public, driving with an expired license, and theft. He was granted conditional bail and will appear in court in June.
Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell issued a stern warning to anyone attempting to exploit the disaster. “We’ve increased police presence, and anyone found taking advantage of this tragedy will face the full force of the law,” he said. He condemned such acts as disgraceful and “un-Australian,” especially when directed at families and businesses already devastated by one of the worst floods in memory.
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the deployment of 70 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to assist in recovery efforts. The ADF, in coordination with the National Emergency Management Agency and emergency services from other states and New Zealand, will begin clean-up operations on Tuesday.
The flooding has severely impacted over 10,000 homes, with 30,000 people still isolated, including residents of Wingham after the Bight Bridge was washed away. Preliminary assessments by the SES have deemed 300 properties uninhabitable.
Albanese emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting affected communities, stating that financial constraints would not limit recovery efforts. “We’re not going through recovery costs with a calculator—we’ll provide the support that’s needed,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles noted that the ADF would assist with route clearing, welfare checks, planning, and restoring critical infrastructure. Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain confirmed that financial aid and cleanup operations were only the beginning of the recovery process.
Local volunteer groups, such as the MidCoast Community Flood Response led by Foster resident Holly, have mobilized hundreds of residents to work alongside official recovery teams. Holly emphasized the need for more volunteers and stressed that community-led action must complement, not replace, official efforts.
The SES has urged caution during clean-up, warning of hazardous floodwaters filled with waste, pollutants, and pathogens. They advised residents to document damage for insurance purposes and to wear protective gear while handling flood-damaged items.
NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing praised emergency personnel for their tireless response and noted that the full extent of the damage is only now becoming clear as waters recede. He affirmed that while recovery will be a long journey, the resilience shown by affected communities has been extraordinary.
In a related development, the Warragamba Dam began spilling early Sunday morning after reaching capacity Saturday evening. Officials estimate the peak outflow could reach 20 gigalitres per day, depending on further inflows.
