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NSW, Queensland floods updates: Volunteers trek supplies to flood-hit residents lacking phone reception, water and electricity - as it happened

Following a slight reprieve, more rain is set to hit New South Wales. 

In Brisbane, 13,000 volunteers are expected to form the "Mud Army 2.0" to help with clean-up efforts. 

Follow all of Saturday's updates in our blog. 

Key events

Live updates

By Caitlyn Davey

Pinned

Where to find emergency assistance and information

  • For emergency assistance, contact SES in NSW or QLD on 132 500.

  • If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

  • For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology in Queensland here or in NSW here

  • ABC Emergency contains planning and advice, an incident map and more
  • Roads and bridges may be impacted by flash flooding. You can find more information in Queensland here
  • Other emergency updates can be found at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services 
  • If you're not sure what to do when there's a flood, here's the best way to plan

Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:

  • ABC Wide Bay on 100.1fm + 855am or stream online
  • ABC Brisbane on 612am or online
  •  ABC Sunshine Coast on 90.3fm Nambour and Gympie 95.3fm or the live stream
  • ABC North Coast on 94.5fm or online here

By Caitlyn Davey

We're going to wrap it up there fam 

Stay safe everyone, and thank you to all those risking their own wellbeing to help others. 

ABC Emergency has all your important updates in the meantime. 

By Caitlyn Davey

NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke thanks SES staff and volunteers and says any rudeness has been unwarranted.

By Caitlyn Davey

Labour shortages to sting recovery efforts says Perrottet

Premier Dominic Perrottet said labour shortages are going to strain the recovery of flood affected areas, citing electricians and plumbers amongst other trades required to rebuild. 

But he said funding won't be a concern, that the state will provide whatever funding is required. "We will do whatever we can, invest whatever we can, to get communities through," he said.  

By Caitlyn Davey

Key Event

Another flood related death confirmed in Mudgeeraba

A woman's body has been recovered and confirmed as a flood-related death in Mudgeeraba this morning. 

Queensland Police divers recovered the woman's body, believed to be missing in flood waters on the Gold Coast. 

An extensive search was launched for the 42-year-old woman this week by police, she was reported missing on Tuesday, March 1. 

By Caitlyn Davey

All support for flood affected small business through Service NSW 

For individual support, the NSW premier has reminded people to go through Services Australia. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Queensland Police aid with recovery in Oxley 

Everyone is rolling up their sleeves to help those affected - including QPS recruits. 

By Caitlyn Davey

NSW's unaugurated Minister for Floods says abuse of SES volunteers is unacceptable 

The minister, Steph Cooke said to SES employees and volunteers, "I've got your back, the whole government is behind you." 

By Caitlyn Davey

5,000 ADF personnel to help the clean up in Northern NSW

There will be 900 more arriving tomorrow and additional thousands deployed in coming days. 

By Caitlyn Davey

'Continue to follow instructions' from emergency services 

There are many warnings still in place warns the NSW Premier - he says the state can't afford to be complacent just yet. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Homelessness is going to be an issue in NSW 

But Mr Perrottet says it's going to be an issue that's front and centre for the state government. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Mr Perrottet says spirit of people helping each other has been uplifting

He's speaking at a press conference now and said: "Overwhelming scenes, what's more overwhelming is the spirit of our people. It's on full display here." 

He also gave thanks to emergency services. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Dominic Perrottet is speaking now

Watch it here. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Volunteers help Brisbane residents who have lost everything 

Logan Avenue in Oxley in Brisbane's south-west was swamped when Oxley Creek rose suddenly. 

House after house has major damage.

Andrew "Ziggy" Schmies has lost everything.

Volunteers from Riverlife Baptist Church at Seventeen Mile Rocks have spent the day clearing out his house for him before the Rural Fire Service comes through and hoses it out. 

Ziggy said the volunteers are "unbelievable people" and there's "no way" he could get back on his feet without them. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Some of the damage filmed by trekkers at Wilson's Creek yesterday - footage by Jimmy Lyell.

By Caitlyn Davey

Kudos to the Mud Army 

By Caitlyn Davey

Key Event

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet speaking shortly 

Watch it here.

By Caitlyn Davey

Costa's tips for restoring your garden after flooding

As thousands of Queenslanders begin the long, slow clean-up following flooding devastation in the south-east of the state, fixing up a muddy garden may be the last thing on their minds.

But for many gardening enthusiasts, it's their sanctuary and something that they will be looking to restore in the coming months.

But if your garden has been absolutely pummelled in the floods and rain bombs, where do you even begin in trying to bring it back to life?

"Though there are [obviously] big-picture challenges, the garden does give us so much respite," Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis said. 

"And a little bit of work out there, while you're doing the other stuff, can just mean that you're not looking at that and thinking, ‘Oh God, I might get to that at some point'."

Here's Gardening Australia's guide to fixing up your garden. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Creek systems in Darling Downs, QLD improving water levels

Flood waters are starting to recede - but the road network status hasn't changed just yet. 

By Caitlyn Davey

Mountains of destroyed books at the Lismore Arts Precinct 

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