One person has been confirmed dead and three others are missing as severe flooding continues to impact the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.
Police reported that emergency crews discovered the body of a 63-year-old man in a flooded residence on North Moto Road in Moto, northeast of Taree, on Wednesday afternoon. The Manning-Great Lakes Police District is currently investigating the circumstances.
At a press conference, SES Commissioner Mike Wassing responded to reports that residents had to self-evacuate after calling for help. He stated SES had been in contact with the man and that police arrived as soon as his body was found. A coronial investigation will determine if floodwaters contributed to the death, as pre-existing health conditions may have been a factor.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences, calling the incident heartbreaking and extending sympathies to the man’s family and community.
Acting NSW Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell said authorities held serious concerns for three others: a 60-year-old woman near Dorrigo, a 25-year-old man last seen driving into floodwaters near Wauchope, and a 49-year-old man believed to have walked into floodwaters.
The Mid North Coast has endured relentless rainfall for days, with Taree Airport recording nearly 500mm over 72 hours. Significant rainfall totals were also logged at Moparrabah, Bellingen, and Thora.
A major rescue effort is underway, with thousands of residents cut off by floodwaters. SES spokesperson Andrew Edmunds said 379 flood rescues had been conducted since early Wednesday, with many more pending. Fast-flowing rivers and rising water levels are hampering rescue efforts, especially where boats and high-clearance vehicles cannot be used. Weather conditions have also restricted aerial operations.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the response as a large-scale operation, involving 2,500 emergency personnel, over 500 vehicles and boats, 13 helicopters, and hundreds of drones. Around 50,000 people have been advised to prepare for possible isolation due to widespread and intense rainfall.
In Kempsey, floodwaters from the Macleay River breached the levee, prompting evacuations. The SES is managing evacuations from multiple flood-threatened towns, including Settlement Point, Macksville, and Port Macquarie.
SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said overnight conditions were tough, with rescues still ongoing in locations like Taree, Glenthorne, Oxley Island, and Moto. He urged those awaiting rescue to remain in safe, dry areas.
Coffs Harbour resident Susanna Rixon-Seager described flash flooding near her home, with more than 215mm of rain recorded since Wednesday morning. Her family remains indoors, following SES advice to avoid unnecessary travel.
Widespread rainfall of 100–150mm is expected on Thursday, with local totals possibly reaching 300mm in parts of Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, and other towns.
Essential Energy reported 5,300 homes and businesses without electricity, with the worst-affected areas around Taree. Floodwaters and fallen trees have damaged power infrastructure, and access remains limited. Aerial patrols will be used to assess the situation, but outages could continue for days.
Flood insurance remains a challenge in some areas. Taree insurance broker Jeremy Thornton told ABC News Radio that coverage is often unavailable or prohibitively expensive due to repeated flood events. He emphasized that insurers are not at fault, but the frequency of disasters has strained the system.
Current emergency warnings include:
Evacuate now — Areas such as Fernbank Creek, Hibbard, Kempsey CBD, and Macksville.
Shelter now — Places including parts of Wauchope, Rawdon Island, and Riverside.
Move to higher ground — Low-lying areas in East Kempsey, Coopernook, Wingham, and others.
Evacuation centres have been established in multiple towns, including Kempsey, Taree, Port Macquarie, Dungog, and Coffs Harbour.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that the weather system may develop into a low-pressure system by late Thursday or early Friday, shifting further south. Disaster assistance has been activated for 16 local government areas, including Bellingen, Kempsey, Maitland, Port Macquarie, and Newcastle.
