If deafening thunder and pounding rain kept you awake last night, you’re not alone. Wild thunderstorms ravaged the Mid North Coast with the SES issuing a severe storm warning for the region at 1:59 am Wednesday, 27 December 2017.
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While last night’s weather was particularly violent, the SES has been on its toes since before Christmas eve, responding to flooding jobs across the Mid North Coast.
Wild electrical storms and torrential rain have caused mayhem
- South West Rocks SES
Since Christmas eve, members have responded to over 100 requests for assistance with Kempsey Shire and Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Areas being hit the hardest.
“The last four days have been busy at the Unit. Wild electrical storms and torrential rain have caused mayhem. The rain gauge kept running over but by estimate we have had over 12 inches of rain,” a post on the South West Rocks Facebook page on December 27 read.
“Between trees on cars and caravans, trees on roads, sand bagging galore and flood mitigation it has been rather busy. Congratulations to SES for the wet weather gear supplied. Thanks to Gladstone and Kempsey for coming over and helping ease the strain. A team is out in the field now and we will see what the day brings.”
Over in Wauchope, the storm also kept SES crew busy.
“The storm that hit our area has kept our members busy since 10pm last night. We sent out two crews for two jobs in the Wauchope area and were just about to head home when the call came through to assist our neighbouring unit in Port Macquarie. Our two crews then spent the remainder of the night and morning completing jobs in Port Macquarie,” the Wauchope SES command stated on Facebook on December 27.
NSW SES Mid North Coast Region deputy region controller, Maria Frazer urged locals to prepare for storms this season.
“We are encouraging residents to take advantage of breaks in the weather, to clean gutters and downpipes, trim tree branches away from property and secure any outdoor times and furniture that may cause hazards,” she said.
”We are also asking people not to drive, walk or ride through flood water.”
Information on how residents can prepare for severe weather can be obtained by visiting the NSW SES website www.ses.nsw.gov.au .
For emergency assistance in storms and floods call the NSW SES on 132 500 and in life threatening situations call triple zero.
