MidCoast Floods 2021

Published on 24 March 2021

Road Closure Information

Update 1.10pm Wednesday 24 March 2021

Safety first

Please continue to stay safe during the flood emergency. On the MidCoast there are many damaged roads – please drive to conditions, slow up and look out for damaged road surfaces.

Please stay out of flood waters wherever possible – there are many hazards including submerged objects and sharp objects. Children should never play in flood waters.

Avoid swimming in any flood-affected water - there are many possible pollutants and the water is not safe for swimming.

Our beaches are a hazardous area – as submerged objects and debris continue to wash up on beaches, sometimes many kilometres from their origin. It’s recommended you don’t swim at beaches or waterways at the present time.

Roads

If a road is closed – do not drive on it. Dangers may not be immediately apparent, but the road is closed for a reason.  Please refrain from unnecessary travel.

While flood waters are receding, the state of our roads is contributing to the number of roads remaining closed. There will be some roads that will open throughout the day but will close at night due to poor visibility and safety precautions. Please be patient and follow all signage as we work through assessing and prioritising this recovery. Take extra care on damaged roads and expect to see plenty of crews out conducting temporary repairs in the worst hit areas.

The Martin Bridge at Taree is still closed and access to Taree remains via Cundletown.

The Pacific Highway has now reopened fully between Cundletown and Coopernook.

For roads updates, please go to www.myroadinfo.com.au and www.livetraffic.com.au . Emergency services are keeping these sites updated.

Stay up to date

Continue to monitor the NSW SES website Flood | NSW State Emergency Service for all updates and information on what to do before, during and after flood and storm events.

MidCoast Council’s website at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au has all updates and follow us on Facebook also:  MidCoast Council | Facebook

Evacuation Centres and Emergency Accommodation

An evacuation centre at Club Taree  is currently open.

If you require accommodation assistance, please call: Emergency Accommodation: 1800 152 152 or Disaster Welfare: 1800 018 444

Recovery

We are beginning to move into the recovery phase.

Visit the flood recovery hub at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/floodrecovery for all assistance, advice and contacts you may need to recover from this flood event.

Visit the hub for financial assistance, advice on legal and insurance matters, help for businesses, important health information including mental health hotlines, and important clean up information.

Waste disposal

We understand the community is keen to clean up their flood waste and start to get back to some normality.

We would urge anyone who is insured to contact their insurer before they start to clean up for advice on how to best dispose of their damaged items.

Those who are insured may find disposal is part of their insurance policy.

We are currently working with a range of government agencies to deal with the clean up, and will let the community know as soon as plans are in place for support to deal with the clean up and removal of waste.

To dispose of animal carcasses and for animal welfare issues, please call the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

Donations

We applaud the generosity of our community, and others from outside our region who are supporting local people devastated by this flood event.  However, the NSW Government is urging people not to donate unwanted goods to communities affected by the floods. Please go to the GIVIT website to arrange all donations  www.givit.org.au.

MidCoast Flood Update 6pm Tuesday 23 March 2021

Road closures will be changing from day to day.

While we know the flood waters are receding, the state of our roads is contributing to the number of roads remaining closed.

There will be some roads that will open throughout the day but will close at night due to poor visibility and safety precautions. Again, we ask that you be patient with our team and follow all signage as we work through assessing and prioritising this recovery.

Take extra care on damaged roads and expect to see plenty of Council trucks out conducting temporary repairs in the worst hit areas.

For road closure information, please head to MyRoadInfo. We have a huge network to get around and a number of organisations coordinating this task.

 

MidCoast Flood Update 11am Monday 22 March 2021:

It's nice to see a slight break in rain this morning, however our thoughts are with the many communities that remain isolated, and in particular those who have lost everything and/or suffered severe damage to their homes and businesses.

The floods have wreaked havoc on public infrastructure and placed pressure on the already vulnerable road network. While flood water has dropped in some areas, roads may be still closed due to their condition and for safety considerations. If a road is closed, please don't risk going through.

Our waste management facilities across the region will be open today.

Food waste from flood damaged premises can be disposed of at waste management centres free of charge, due to the public health risk.

Council services that will be operating as normal include:

  • Customer Service Centres
  • Garbage collection – road condition and access permitting
  • Waste Management Centres (Gloucester open on Monday)
  • Libraries – Tea Gardens, Stroud, Forster – normal operating hours
  • While there will be changes to operations for:
  • Bulky waste collection – suspended
  • Burials and cemetery services – suspended
  • Libraries at Gloucester, Hallidays Point, Harrington, Nabiac, Old Bar, Taree, Wingham – closed Monday 22 March

Our water network is under a lot of pressure due to the excess stormwater. We ask that everyone please keep water use low to help reduce the need to treat the dirty water in the river system and relieve some of the pressure.

The sewer network in our low lying areas is still under extreme stress with the system well and truly stretched. Our team is doing what it can to keep it going but some properties are having more issues than others. Our known problem areas are Manning Point and Harrington and we have additional resources on the ground to assist.

We love how generous our community is in times of need but we ask that everyone ensure they are donating responsibly. Together with the NSW Government we're asking people not to donate unwanted goods to communities affected by the floods. If you'd like to contribute, the official way to do so is through not for profit organisation GIVIT. To donate or learn more about GIVIT’s ‘Severe Storms and Flooding’ Appeal, visit GIVIT.org.au/severe-storms-and-flooding

The Australian Government has activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

(AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to support those heavily affected by the storms

and flooding in New South Wales.

• Australian Government support payments are now activated for NSW storms and floods.

• The quickest and easiest way to claim is to call 180 22 66.

• The phone line is open now, eligible recipients can claim today.

• Check your eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster

Local Land Services are working to support livestock, there is an animal safe centre at Taree Saleyards

For reports of animals stranded, call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.

To stay up to date with road closures, please go to My Road Info https://midnorthcoast.myroadinfo.com.au/overview.asp and be aware that localised flooding will impact on roads intermittently and can change the situation quickly.

If you require assistance call the NSW SES on 132 500.

Only travel if you absolutely need to, now is not the time to be driving around unnecessarily. Follow all signage in place, drive to conditions and remember, if it's flooded FORGET IT!


MidCoast Flood Update 5.30pm Sunday 21 March 2021

As the rain continues and some waterways start to rise again, we urge the community to take care in the conditions.
For SES assistance please call 132500 or if you are in a life threatening situation call 000.
Do not rely on Facebook messages, as not all SES units are at capacity.
A large number of roads are closed across the region, including:
Lakes Way
Bucketts Way between Gloucester and Stroud
Old Bar Road
Gloucester Road, between Boundary Flat Road and Dollys Flat Road, Wingham
 To stay up to date with road closures, please go to My Road Info https://midnorthcoast.myroadinfo.com.au/overview.asp and be aware that localised flooding will impact on local roads intermittently and can change the situation quickly.

 

There are a range of our services being impacted by the flood event. For a full list of closures and further information click here.

MidCoast Flood Update 2pm Sunday 21 March 2021

The Martin Bridge into Taree is closed to all traffic and will remain closed for some time - it will be a decision of the RMS as to when the bridge will open.
The Dawson River Bridge is now open to all traffic, which allows direct access between Taree and Cundletown.
There is still no access north or south on the highway from Cundletown.

MidCoast Flood Update 10am Sunday 21 March 2021

A severe weather warning is in place for the MidCoast region for heavy rainfall and damaging winds. You can follow the NSW SES Taree City Unit and Mid North Coast NSW SES Facebook pages for information and updates.
A disaster declaration has been announced for the MidCoast Council area.
To find out information on personal hardship and distress assistance contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To apply for a concessional loan or grant contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au
Further information on disaster assistance is also available on disasterassistance.service.nsw.gov.au
 
Properties, business and roads continue to be flooded across the region with many towns and villages isolated.
To stay up to date with road closures, please go to My Road Info https://midnorthcoast.myroadinfo.com.au/overview.asp and be aware that localised flooding will impact on local roads intermittently and may not be reflected on myroadinfo.
If you require assistance call the NSW SES on 132 500.
Only travel if you absolutely need to, now is not the time to be driving around unnecessarily. Follow all signage in place, drive to conditions and remember, if it's flooded FORGET IT!
 
Thank you to everyone who answered the call yesterday for bedding and supplies at our evacuation centres.
Evacuation Centres are located across the region at:
#OldBar - Club Old Bar
#ManningPoint - Manning Point Bowling Club
#Taree - Club Taree
#Wingham - Wingham Golf Club
#Harrington - Club Harrington
#Cundletown - Manning Valley Anglican College
#Bulahdelah - Bulahdelah Central School

#Tuncurry - Tuncurry Bowling Club

 
Official evacuation centres are established and operated by the Department of Family and Community Services. The isolation of some areas makes this extremely difficult – however there are some self-managed evacuation centres across the region including the #Gloucester Soldiers Club, #Coopernook Uniting Church and #Moorland Hall. Thank you to everyone volunteering at these sites.
For animals - Taree saleyards is open for emergency stock relocation – there are a number of paddocks operating and some reserves of hay, thanks to Local Land Services.
#HallidaysPoint locals please be aware the weather has caused significant damage through the #BlackHead Road project site.
Crews have made the area as safe as possible but given the continued wet weather the site will be subject to severe potholes until the weather clears and permanent repairs can be done. Please avoid the area if at all possible, slow down and drive to the conditions.
Our SES, Emergency and Council crews are stretched to their limits.
Again, please take care on our roads - do not travel unnecessarily - and don't ever enter flood waters.
Please be patient, there are a range of emergency services working together to keep this information updated, however things change quickly


MidCoast Flood Update as at 10.30am Saturday 20 March 2021

It's looking likely that this is a 1 in 100 year flood event. Please do not travel unneccessarily around the region. Our SES, Emergency and Council crews are stretched to their limits.
Manning River at #Taree is expected to peak within the next three hours, with the lower Manning continuing to rise as the day progresses. The river at #Harrington is also currently climbing heading towards high tide. We are monitoring levels across the region with Gloucester having peaked this morning and Wingham nearing its peak now.
Roads to the north and south into Taree are now closed and evacuation orders are in place for Taree Estate, Taree CBD, Dumaresq Island and #Cundletown. Please see NSW SES Taree City Unit Facebook Page
The Taree Evacuation Centre is operating at Club Taree.
Local Land Services have advised Taree saleyards is open for emergency stock relocation – there are a number of paddocks operating and some reserves of hay.
#ManningPoint is isolated and an evacuation centre has been established at the bowling club.
#Wingham: Wingham is also isolated, with an evacuation centre at the Wingham Golf Club.
#Bulahdelah: is isolated with an evacuation centre at the Bulahdelah Central School
#Gloucester: Gloucester is isolated and is now above a major flood level. The caravan park was evacuated yesterday.
Again, please take care on our roads - do not travel unnecessarily - and don't ever enter flood waters.
For the latest information on road closures please keep your eye on myroadinfo - and please be patient, there are a range of emergency services working together to keep this information updated, however things change quickly.