Torrential Weather Wreaks Havoc on Hunter Wildlife

 BY SIOBHAN HARVEY 

After weeks of torrential wet weather hammering the East coast of Australia it seems there is no end in sight.

With up to 300mm of rain predicted in some areas, the already sodden areas have been issued with evacuation and watch orders, leading conservationists at Aussie Ark to worry for the wildlife left behind. 

The catastrophic flood events have caused significant ruin to the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary, including damaged predator proof fences, washed away access roads and wildlife left without homes. 

The devastation will be long lasting, with species displaced they are are at greater risk of predation by feral animals, car strike and disease. 

Aussie Ark have set up the Australian Wildlife Flood Appeal to aid in the long term recovery of the nations battered wildlife from the current relentless weather conditions. 

Aussie Ark Director Liz Gabriel said this weather event has enforced the importance of protecting our wildlife.  

"We have experienced weeks of near non-stop rain, and the impacts to our sanctuaries are devastating. Our wildlife has been handed blow after blow in recent years, making the long term rehabilitation and protection of our wildlife that much more critical," she said.  

The conservation organisation works to protect the abundance of native fauna already existing within the sanctuaries at Aussie Ark, including 50 mammal species, 278 bird species, 42 reptile species and 18 frog species. 

Aussie Ark is calling on the community to help ensure the nations wildlife are given the chance to recover.

The Australian Wildlife Flood Appeal will help assist in recovering critical reforestation projects, flood recovery and build long-term futures for our wildlife.  

Image: Australian Reptile Park 

Port Stephens Awaits Natural Disaster Declaration

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Despite significant flood damage, Port Stephens is still yet to be declared a natural disaster zone. 

Fifty-eight LGAs across NSW have already been given the title as a result of severe weather since the 22nd of February. 

Among the already-declared LGAs are Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton, the Central Coast, and the MidCoast. 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says despite being hit by the same weather system, Port Stephens is being overlooked by the state government. 

"We've had large areas underwater for some time. The town of Hinton is entirely cut off, we've had a number of residences in Raymond Terrace affected, and a lot of farms out west were affected," she said. 

Ms Washington confirmed Port Stephens Council had submitted an application to be considered for the declaration, and said she had personally spoken to NSW Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, urging her to include the LGA. 

However, it is understood extensive damage assessments are not possible due to the level of flood water remaining.

Ms Washington said residents should not have to wait for the water to subside for the damage to be assessed and a declaration to be made.

"The damage is obvious. We have got water inundating large tracks of land, and there is a natural disaster declared on the other side of the river."

A NSW Resilience spokeswoman revealed when the other Hunter LGAs had been added, the government was not aware Port Stephens had been affected.

The spokeswoman also confirmed Port Stephens was now being considered for a natural disaster declaration.

The declaration would give the LGA access to concessional loans and grants.

"Port Stephens should urgently be declared a natural disaster zone so that residents can access some financial assistance," Ms Washington said. 

Image: Port Stephens SES Facebook Page

Group rescued from flooded Belford house

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The SES says it's rescued a number of people from a house in Belford last night, after flash flooding inundated areas along the New England Highway.

Volunteers from the Maitland and Singleton units attended the scene.

It's understood over a metre of floodwater impacted the house, after 100mm of rain was recorded in the area late Monday night.

Image credit: Hunter SES

Moderate To Major Flood Warning Issued For Hunter River At Muswellbrook, Denman And Downstream

 MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AT MUSWELLBROOK AND DENMAN

MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT SINGLETON SATURDAY NIGHT

MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT MAITLAND SUNDAY.

There is currently moderate flooding at Muswellbrook, where river levels peaked at 9.90 metres around midnight Friday, just below the major flood level. The main flood peak is now approaching Denman where river levels are expected to peak this morning, with moderate flooding.

Flood waters from the Upper Hunter will combine with large inflows from the Goulburn River and Wybong Creek. These flood flows are expected to cause moderate and possibly major flooding to develop at Singleton during Saturday afternoon into Sunday. Moderate flooding is possible at Maitland on Sunday.

Upper Hunter:

Moderate flooding is occurring at Muswellbrook and Denman. River levels along the Kingdon Ponds and Hunter River at Aberdeen have fallen below minor flood levels.

The Hunter River at Muswellbrook peaked at 9.90 metres around midnight Friday into Saturday and is currently at 8.63 metres and falling, with moderate flooding.

The Hunter River at Denman is expected to peak near 8.90 metres around 09:00 am Saturday, with moderate flooding.

Lower Hunter:

Moderate and possibly Major flooding is expected at Singleton. Moderate flooding is possible at Maitland.

The Hunter River at Singleton is expected to exceed the minor flood level (10.00 m) around midday Saturday. The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (11.50 m) early Saturday evening and may reach the major flood level (13.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday. Further rises possible.

Here is the latest advice from the Bureau of Meteorology:

The Hunter River at Maitland (Belmore Bridge) is expected to exceed the minor flood level (5.90 m) around 11:00 am Saturday morning on the high tide. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (8.90 m) overnight Sunday into Monday. Further rises possible.

Flood Safety Advice:

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.

• * Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
• * Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
• * Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
• * Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.

For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:

* NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au

* RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com

* Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/midnorth.shtml

* Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

* Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

* BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW

Moderate to Major Flooding Expected For Hunter River Picture: SES

Flood Update Monday 22/3/2021 at 5.20am

 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

Main Road At Testers Hollow is one of several local roads in the Hunter affected by flooding

SES Warning Bulahdelah Residents to Prepare for Evacuation Orders

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicting possible flooding along the Myall River for the Bulahdelah areas.

Residents and visitors to these areas are being urged to take action now to prepare for possible flood impacts.

NSW SES is advising residents in low lying areas of the following locations they may need to evacuate due to rising flood water.

These areas include:

• Low lying properties in River Street

• Myall Street

• Richmond Street (West of Alexandra Street)

• Stuart Street (West of Alexandra Street)

• Stroud Street (South of Stuart Street)

• Blanch Street (West of Crawford Street)

• Prince Street (South of Richmond Street)

• Jackson Street

• Alexandra Street (South of Stuart Street)

• Rotary Park on the banks of Myall River

• Bulahdelah Showground

Low lying properties may experience impacts due to flash flooding and/or riverine flooding.

Storm and flood impacts may interrupt essential services such as electricity, phones, internet, water and sewerage.

People in these areas need to closely monitor weather and road closures and make informed decisions early based on individual circumstances.

Residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.

A Flood Evacuation Order will be issued by the NSW SES if and when evacuations are required.

Simple things you can do now:

• Lift possessions and important items above the predicted flood height.

• Take pets, essential items, warm clothes, medicines, insurance documents and valuables

with you.

• Leave as early as possible to avoid restricted roads.

• Share this information with family, friends and neighbours and help others where possible

For more information on:

• Follow us on Facebook at /NSWSES or our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

• Latest Weather, Warnings, Rainfall and River heights: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/

• Road Closures: www.livetraffic.com.au or http://www.myroadinfo.com.au

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

Contract Awarded for Road Upgrades At Testers Hollow

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Long awaited road upgrades at Testers Hollow are a step closer to completion, with the contract for the $17 million project awarded to Daracon Contractors Pty Ltd.

The upgrade will see Cessnock Road raised around 1.5 metres, after motorists were cut off from using the road six times in 10 years due to flooding in the area.

The road, connects Maitland with the Hunter Expressway and broader community, and is subject to flooding at Testers Hollow, which affects residents, commuters and freight movements. 

Construction is expected to begin later in 2020, with hopes of opening the new length of road to motorists in two years time.

$15 million has been contributed by the Federal Government to fund the project, with $2 million contributed by the NSW Government.

Petition for Bridge Over Barnsley Weir

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

Calls for a bridge over flood-prone The Weir Road at Barnsley will be brought to Council in a petition started by Councillor Kevin Baker.

The road remains closed after Lake Macquarie Council carried out an inspection this morning, reporting water levels and clarity from the weekend rain are still too high for the road to safely carry vehicles.

Council also says it's working with Telstra to resolve issues with the traffic warning lights on the road.

Cr Kevin Baker opened the petition last night, and intends to present the signatures to Council asking for the construction of The Weir Road bridge to be a priority.

He says the road is a key link for the region and needs to be brought to standard.

"Someone's only got to flush a toilet and the road floods. The significant closures cause all sorts of trouble for trucks, locals, and commuters.

"It's a really key link between the Western side of Lake Macquarie and the Northern side of Lake Macquarie"

Council says it's considering detailed assessments and concept designs for the future of The Weir Road.

Cr Baker says he has spoken with residents who say the road hasn't been fit for purpose for decades.

"The locals identified it as one of the big key infrastructure priorities out on the north-western side of the lake," he said.

"While there other routes you can go around, they add significant travel time. It really is a key bit of infrastructure; locals rely on it, businesses rely on it, trucks rely on it, commuters rely on it."

Councillor Kevin Baker plans to present the signatures from the petition to Council and make the bridge a priority. Image: Cr Kevin Baker.

Roads begin to flood across Hunter amidst wild weather

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

UPDATE 2:30PM

The Bureau of Meteorology says a line of thunderstorms is currently passing through Redhead and is set to affect Charlestown, Boolaroo and Lake Macquarie.

The storms are now going to hit Newcastle, West Wallsend and Cardiff.

The SES have already responded to around 55 calls across the Hunter, many of which were requests for sandbags.

Residents looking to secure sandbags for their property are being encouraged to attend SES supply points at these locations:

Singleton: 9-11 Queen Street, Singleton.
Dungog: Clarence Town Road, Dungog.
Maitland: Waterworks Road, Rutherford.
Tomaree: Sandy Point Road, Corlette.
Newcastle: 75 Elizabeth Street, Newcastle.

65 millimetres of rain has fallen today at the Barrington Tops, while Dungog received over 100 millimetres within an hour this morning.

There have been reports of rainwater on the road at University Drive at Callaghan, as well as pooling water on Lookout Road near McCaffrey Drive.

In Wallsend, the Upper Reserve is already underwater, while drains near Wallsend Plaza are filling up quickly.

Try to avoid driving through Cardiff - Main Road and Fern Valley Road are flooded.

The SES say they have 300 volunteers at the ready to be deployed wherever they are required across the Hunter as the onslaught continues.

The Bureau of Meteorology still expect around 100 to 200 millimetres to fall across Newcastle and the Lower Hunter over the next 24 hours, while a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in place. 

Drivers risk it on flooding Cardiff Roads. Image: SRC. 

SES warns of heavy rains on their way

BY JARROD MELMETH

The State Emergency Service is warning Hunter residents heavy rain forecast for later today has the potential to cause flash flooding.

A coastal trough, cradled between two high-pressure systems will develop along parts of the coast over the next 24-hours.

The weather bureau is forecasting up to 20mm of rain on Tuesday and up to 120mm on Wednesday with no sign of stopping until Friday.

Rachel Squires from the SES said the weather is unpredictable and residents should be prepared now.

"Clean out your gutter, make sure anything lying around in your yard is secure and keep on top of information that comes through," she said.

"You can follow [the SES] on our Facebook page, or you can follow the Bureau of Meteorology on the web - they provide information and updates on rainfall and river heights."

The SES advises people who find themselves trapped by flash flooding to seek refuge in the highest available place and ring your local SES Unit on 132 500 in emergencies.