Rain records have been broken in some areas of the north central coast, including Taree, where they fell 305 millimeters in 24 hours at 9 a.m. Thursday.
Key points:
- 305 mm of rain was recorded at Taree Airport between midnight and 9am on Thursday.
- Residents of the north central coast say they have never seen so much rain
- The mayor of the Nambucca Valley says repair and improvement works will cost millions
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that it is the highest daily rainfall figure in Taree township since 1881, which included city width records.
“It’s also the highest amount of rain since 2000, when 211mm fell on March 8,” said Morgan Pumpa, community participation manager.
Other cities on the north central coast experienced two-day July rain records.
They include Krambach, who was 270mm in the 48 hours until 9 a.m. Thursday, beating a 1922 record.
Taree has not experienced so much rain since 1881. (ABC Mid North Coast: Emma Siossian)
“With the reduction in rain today there is good news, but it still increases the chance that some river will rise as the water moves downstream,” Ms Pumpa said.
North Coast Middle East State Emergency Service Deputy Commander Lester Davis said the speed with which the rain came was astonishing.
He said it had caused three flood rescues and about 200 calls for help.
“Everyone was especially amazed at the pace at which he fell,” he said.
“We’ve had a huge amount of rain in such a short period of time.”
Croki residents are suffering their third flood in 12 months. (ABC Mid North Coast: Emma Siossian)
Long way to go
Authorities are focusing on the damaged road network on the north coast at noon, which was already being repaired after the floods of the past 18 months.
Nambucca Valley Shire Mayor Rhonda Hoban said repair and improvement works in her region, south of Coffs Harbor, would cost millions of dollars.
“Our biggest problem is the condition of our roads, they are falling apart at the seams and in some cases they are beyond the shop window,” Ms Hoban said.
The Wiaora Bridge, near Bowraville, was submerged during the floods. (ABC News: Nick Parmeter)
Parts of the area have recorded about 300mm of rain since Tuesday and worried that driving conditions would be dangerous for months due to extensive potholes.
Residents in Croki remain on hold to evacuate their homes. (ABC Mid North Coast: Emma Siossian)
Communities on hold
Residents of parts of Tuncurry and Bulahdelah were told to evacuate Wednesday evening while Croki, Coopernook, Forster Keys and other parts of Bulahdelah remained on hold.
Croki resident Mark Byrne said people in his town were used to the floods.
“Everyone helps each other get ready, get the refrigerators up, clean the garages, and make sure things don’t go wrong,” Byrne said.
Mark Byrne is relieved that the record rain has not been more widespread. (ABC Mid North Coast: Emma Siossian)
Farmer Craig Emerton said he had never seen so much rain.
“I’ve been recording here on the dairy farm for the last 33 years,” Emerton said.
“We’re already almost 400mm in total by July.”
Emerton said he was lucky to be able to continue feeding his cattle.
“But now there is no pasture that is not damaged or underwater,” he said.
The flood water rises on a dairy farm in Croki. (Provided by: Craig Emerton)
Sandy Coskerie, a Croki resident for more than 30 years, said the floods continued to happen. h
“This is the third flood here in 12 months,” he said.
Near Landsdowne, Shirley Haines said residents were on alert after previous flooding.
“We just let each other know what’s going on and we just have to stay safe,” he said.
“Here everyone is in control, it’s a small town.”
Sandy Coskerie says she will have to rebuild her garden. (ABC Mid North Coast: Emma Siossian)
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Posted 1 h ago 1 hour ago Thu, July 7, 2022 at 8:05 AM, updated 47 m ago, 47 minutes ago, Thu, July 7, 2022 at 8:56 AM