Torrential overnight rains have left tens of thousands of residents stranded across New South Wales’s mid-north coast, as floodwaters continue to rise and rescue crews warn there is “nowhere to go” for many isolated communities.
Emergency services confirmed on Thursday that the body of a 63-year-old man was recovered at Moto, south of Port Macquarie, after days of relentless downpours pushed tributaries of the Hastings River well over their banks. Police also say three people remain missing in the region, prompting an urgent appeal for any witnesses to contact authorities.
Communities cut off, roads washed away
More than 20,000 residents between Port Macquarie and South West Rocks are now cut off by floodwaters, with entire towns accessible only by air or boat. Key highways — including the Pacific and Oxley — have been closed by landslips and overtopped bridges, forcing families to shelter in evacuation centres or on higher ground.
Local SES commander Rachel Thompson said at a briefing that conditions remain dire.
“Some households are completely surrounded by water. Our crews have been doing overnight evacuations by boat, but many people simply have nowhere to go until the river recedes,”
she said.
Rain to continue into the weekend
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast another 50–100 mm of rain for the mid-north coast through Saturday morning, prolonging the flood threat.
“Rivers are already at record or near-record levels. Any additional rain will exacerbate flooding and slow the recovery process,”
a senior meteorologist warned.
Rescues and relief operations ramp up
A joint task force of State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service and Australian Defence Force personnel has been mobilised to deliver supplies and evacuate vulnerable residents. Helicopters have been ferrying food, water and medical kits to isolated settlements, while rescue boats patrol inundated streets.
Health authorities are monitoring waterborne disease risks in flood-affected areas and have established mobile clinics at evacuation centres in Kempsey and Crescent Head.
Rising human toll
This week’s flooding is the latest in a string of extreme weather events to hit eastern Australia. In February, heavy rains across the Northern Rivers brought one of the region’s worst deluges on record, killing 13 people. While the death in Moto marks the first confirmed flood fatality on the mid-north coast, authorities fear the toll may yet rise.
Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Dr. Simon Hare urged residents to remain vigilant.
“Even if floodwaters appear to ease, waterways can remain fast-flowing and dangerous. Please heed all warnings and do not attempt to cross flooded roads,”
he said.
Communities unite
Amid the crisis, neighbourhood groups have mobilised to support their towns. GoFundMe pages have sprung up to assist families who have lost homes and belongings, and regional charities are coordinating donations of bedding, clothing and fuel.
Mayor Anthony Turner of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council praised local volunteers.
“The spirit of community resilience here is extraordinary. Neighbours are helping neighbours, and that solidarity will carry us through these difficult days,”
he said.
As floodwaters slowly begin their retreat, attention now turns to cleanup and rebuilding — a process that, in some areas, may take weeks or even months. For now, however, the priority remains life-saving rescues and ensuring every isolated resident receives the help they need.
How you can help
Anyone with suitable four-wheel-drive vehicles who can assist with supplies or evacuations is urged to register with the NSW SES at ses.nsw.gov.au.
Donations to support flood-affected families can be made through established charities such as the Australian Red Cross and GIVIT.
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