BY IAN CROUCH
Several areas across the Hunter have been declared Natural Disaster areas as the east coast continues to feel the impact of the most significant storm and flood event in decades.
Newcastle City, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland, Cessnock and Dungog Local Government Areas have been included in 34 Natural Disaster Declarations across NSW.
The Weather Bureau says more rain with possible heavy falls is likely again today and tomorrow and many locals roads in these areas are under water.
Minor flooding is continuing along the Williams and Paterson Rivers, however the area of most concern this morning is the Wollombi Brook at Bulga, where major flooding is occurring.
This is likely to impact on areas further downstream of the Hunter River, with the Melville Ford Bridge at Aberglasslyn likely to close, while low lying areas in Raymond Terrace could be inundated.
The Newcastle Airport runway has been closed due to flooding, with the closure remaining in place until midday on Wednesday.
Trains will remain suspended today between Newcastle,and Fassifern.
A number of Hunter region schools are closed today due to flooding.
These are:
Booral Public School
Bulahdelah Central School
Dungog Public School
Hinton Public School
Laguna Public School
Millers Forest Public School
St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulahdelah
St Joseph’s Primary School, Gloucester
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| Main Road At Testers Hollow is one of several local roads in the Hunter affected by flooding |
