As the cleanup from the flash flooding along the NSW coast continues Ian Dinham, President of Floodplain Management Australia, warned that we should not be surprised by this wild weather event which caught many people unprepared.

Newcastle and suburbs took a battering with Williamtown reporting its wettest July day on record, the rail line being cut by floodwaters, and NSW State Emergency Services personnel responding to 100 calls for assistance, including nine children from a bus, which had become trapped in floodwater.

“Earlier this year the Bureau of Meteorology predicted a change from drought conditions to a wetter winter and possible flooding, and this is what we are now seeing” Mr Dinham said.

“While this weather event is severe, more extreme storms and floods can and do occur. Everybody has a responsibility to understand their flood risk, and be prepared for events like this which can develop very quickly.”

“Consult your local Council to learn if your neighbourhood and local roads can be flooded, find out how you can be notified of a flood threat, and in NSW download the Floods Near Me app.”

“And never drive or walk into floodwater. SES volunteers have enough to do without risking their lives undertaking rescues which could have been avoided.”

About

FMA’s Members include over 160 councils, catchment management authorities, government agencies, businesses and professionals involved in all aspects of flood risk management.

For more information on FMA, visit floods.org.au.