NSW Floods: Fourth Death Confirmed, Thousands Isolated as Record-Breaking Floodwaters Devastate Communities
A fourth person has been confirmed dead and another remains missing amid catastrophic flooding across the NSW Mid North Coast, where thousands of residents continue to face dire conditions. The State Emergency Service (SES) reports that over 50,000 people are currently isolated, with 6,000 still without power, and more evacuations expected in the coming days.
Emergency crews have carried out more than 678 flood rescues in recent days, focusing efforts on the worst-hit regions of Port Macquarie, Taree, and Kempsey.
Photos from the disaster zones capture the immense toll the flood has taken on lives, homes, and livelihoods.
Unprecedented Flood Levels
On Thursday, 9,500 properties were directly impacted by floodwaters. In Taree, the Manning River surpassed a historic record set in 1929, exceeding 6 metres and continuing to rise. The SES has urged residents to move to higher ground, warning that flood conditions are making rescue efforts increasingly dangerous and difficult.
In Kempsey, floodwaters peaked at 7.1 metres, inundating the CBD and affecting approximately 50 businesses, according to Mayor Kinne Ring.
Community Resilience
In Port Macquarie, residents have shown incredible resilience, with volunteers delivering supplies by boat to isolated families in the flooded North Shore community across the Hastings River. These grassroots efforts are helping bridge the gap as official rescue operations struggle to access certain areas.
Wildlife and Farming Devastated
Aussie Ark, a wildlife sanctuary near Barrington Tops National Park, has declared a “flooding crisis.” The organisation reported widespread damage including destroyed roads and fences, loss of power, food shortages, and forced animal evacuations. The sanctuary has launched an emergency flood appeal for support as more rain is forecast.
Farmers across northern NSW are also assessing extensive flood damage to crops, infrastructure, and livestock.
Weather System Moves South
The same weather system that swamped the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions began impacting Sydney late Thursday. Some parts of the city received over 100mm of rain in 24 hours, while flooding cut road and rail links in and around Sydney. Bus services are now replacing trains on the Hunter Line, with flooding reported at Sandgate.
Ongoing Threat
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said some locations recorded up to 300mm of rain in just 24 hours, with totals reaching 500–600mm over the past week. The weather system continues to move south, posing ongoing risks to communities along its path.
