NSW Flood Crisis: One Dead, Three Missing, Thousands Affected
- admin928749
- May 22
- 3 min read
One man has been confirmed dead and three others are missing as floodwaters continue to devastate parts of New South Wales, with Premier Chris Minns declaring the event a natural disaster.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Minns said the body of a man had been found inside a flooded home in Moto, calling the situation “devastating” for his family and the wider community.
“We’re bracing for more bad news in the next 24 hours,” he warned.
Three more people are still unaccounted for:
A 60-year-old woman from the Dorrigo area,
A 25-year-old man believed to have driven into floodwaters near Wauchope, and
A 49-year-old man who may have walked into rising water.
And it's not just the tragic loss of life—thousands of homes have been damaged, and more rain is on the way. Up to 300mm of rain is expected in some areas over the next 24 hours.
Emergency Response Ramps Up
About 2,500 emergency personnel and 500 emergency vehicles, including boats and helicopters, have been deployed. The SES has already carried out over 500 flood rescues, mainly in the Hunter and Mid North Coast.
“We’re still rescuing people who have driven into floodwaters,” SES Commissioner Michael Wassing said, urging the public to stay off roads and follow all evacuation warnings.
Widespread Impact
The flooding is especially severe around Taree, Kempsey, and Port Macquarie, with more than 140 flood warnings currently active. Major rivers like the Macleay, Hastings, and Manning are still at risk of rising again due to rainfall in the mountains.
Some numbers showing the scale of the crisis:
Over 50,000 people are isolated by floodwaters.
Around 9,500 homes are directly threatened.
145 schools are closed today.
Rainfall totals have already passed 300mm in some areas in just 24 hours.
Heartbreaking Stories of Rescue
There have been countless dramatic rescues over the past day. In one case, Taree resident Sam Halloran stayed behind after helping his partner and dogs get winched to safety.
Another woman was rescued from her home in Pampoolah with just a few belongings in her arms.
“I've got tablets,” she told the rescuer.“We can take some small medication, but that’s it,” he replied, helping her into a helicopter.
"One-in-500-Year" Flood Event
Andrew Gissing from Natural Hazards Research Australia said the event is likely a one-in-500-year flood—the worst on record for the area.
The NSW SES continues to work through the night, with urgent rescues still underway in places like Taree, Oxley Island, Moto, and Glenthorne.
“If you’re under an emergency warning and it’s safe to do so, evacuate now,” Commissioner Wassing said.“We can’t guarantee crews will be able to rescue people once night falls.”
Support and Evacuation Centres
Both the state and federal governments have now activated disaster assistance across 16 local government areas. This support includes:
Emergency accommodation
Grants for uninsured low-income residents
Financial help for structural home repairs
Support for small businesses and primary producers
Freight subsidies for farmers
Evacuation centres have opened in:
Dungog RSL
Club Gloucester
Club Taree
Manning Point Bowling Club
Wingham RSL
Bulahdelah Golf Club
Tuncurry Bowling Club
Kempsey Showground
Panthers Port Macquarie
Woolworths says stores between Newcastle and Port Macquarie remain open for now, although Kempsey’s Woolworths and Big W are closed due to the evacuation order.
“We’re closely monitoring the situation and working to keep our team and customers safe,” a Woolworths spokesperson said.
With rain still falling and more expected, authorities are urging everyone in affected areas to stay alert, follow evacuation orders, and download the Hazards Near Me app for updates.
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