Hunter flooding: residents advised to watch and act as rain pours

Paterson, Dungog and Clarence Town have been upgraded to watch and act flood level. Picture by Marina Neil

AS rain continues to lash down in the Hunter, Paterson, Dungog and Clarence Town have been upgraded to a Watch and Act flood alert level.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) alerted residents around 6.30pm on Friday evening that fast flowing minor flooding is occurring at Paterson, Martins Creek, Woodville, Wallalong, Vacy, Dungog and Clarence Town.

Residents are urged to not enter floodwater and monitor the situation as it is constantly changing.

The Paterson River at Gostwyck Bridge may reach the minor flood level or 9.10 metres overnight Friday into Saturday.

The Williams River at Dungog may reach 4.9 metres overnight, while Mill Dam Falls may reach 6.10m.

Further river level rises are possible based on forecast rainfall, with the Hunter expected to receive up to 150mm on Friday.

Paterson has been upgraded to a watch and act level as flooding persists. Picture NSW Hazards Near Me App

Based on predictions by the Bureau of Meteorology, low lying causeways and roads including Wallarobba Road and low lying areas adjacent to the river may be impacted by dangerous floodwaters.

Flood watch warnings remain at advice level for Wollombi Brook, lower Hunter River, Newcastle river, Karuah river, the Myall River and Lake Macquarie.

The SES has a number of units open and ready for the community to collect sandbags if required.

Locations:

NSW SES - City of Newcastle, 75 Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill

NSW SES Port Stephens - Rees James Road, Raymond Terrace

NSW SES - Gosford Unit, Pateman Road, Erina

NSW SES Wyong Unit - 12 Levitt St, Wyong

NSW SES - Cessnock City Unit, Col Turnbull Parade, Pokolbin

NSW SES Maitland Unit Waterworks Road, Rutherford

NSW SES - Singleton Unit, 9-11 Queen Street, Singleton

If you physically are unable to collect, please call 132 500 to arrange a drop off.

What you need to do:

• If you have a Home and/or Business Emergency Plan, review it now. Otherwise, have a conversation and plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate.
• Consider the consequences of road and bridge closures and water over roads and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel.
• Plan your route carefully to avoid flooded roads and allow extra travel time.
• Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services.
• Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines and rivers.
• Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater - it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it's flooded, forget it. Fines apply.
• Share this information with family, friends, and neighbours and help others prepare where possible.
• People working or camping along the river should monitor river heights and be prepared to relocate to higher ground.
• Farmers should consider moving pumps and farm equipment to higher ground.
• Companion animals and livestock should be relocated to higher ground that will not become an island.

For more information:

• Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au.
• Follow us on social media @NSWSES or visit our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
• Learn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/knowyourrisk/
• Check latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
• Check road closures at livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council.

For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.