Volunteers and assets including Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB) and jetskis are assisting with flood relief and rescue activities throughout the state, with more on standby in case the unfolding natural disaster worsens in some areas as expected.
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Sodden crews have been working throughout the weekend in the Port Macquarie and Taree areas, helping with everything from doorknocking to rescuing stranded residents trapped by rising floodwaters.
There are currently 16 IRBs and 2 jetskis assisting the SES with flood relief activities on the mid and lower north coasts. Surf Life Saving has another 31 rescue craft on standby to respond.
The SLSNSW State Operations Centre is coordinating assets and personnel in various areas and volunteer Liaison Officers have been embedded in the major SES incident command centres to help position equipment and personnel.
Today, Surf Life Saving NSW has been requested to have assets on standby to assist with possible flood rescue work in the Hawkesbury area and IRBs are being transported from surf clubs on the Northern Beaches, out to Blacktown and Nepean SES centres in preparation for taskings as waters peak on Tuesday.
SLSNSW President George Shales, said he was proud of the efforts of volunteers and thanked clubs for offering equipment and people to assist the community.
“It makes sense that the skills of our people and the specialised equipment we have at our disposal would be sought after by emergency services in situations like these,” said George Shales.
“As usual, our volunteers responded immediately to requests for assistance and I can’t thank them enough for braving the conditions to help others in need.”
Port Macquarie Lifeguard Supervisor James Turnham and his team including lifesavers from the Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast club callout teams have been assisting the SES since Friday night.
"We've got crews out here waiting for taskings from our fellow emergency services," said Turnham. "We've been assisting the SES with a wide range of rescue operations, people from their houses, medical evacuations and fuel drop-offs too."
Additional crews and Duty Officers will relieve those who have been battling the floodwaters over the weekend while others are on standby in areas where flood conditions could worsen.
Meanwhile, hazardous surf conditions continue to impact the coastline, causing widespread inundation, coastal erosion and in some cases damage to surf club structures and buildings.
Monday 22 March 2021