NSW: Thousands left stranded by rising flood waters
01 Apr 2009 2:37 AM
Torrential rain on the New South Wales mid-north coast has now left almost three thousand residents isolated and forced the evacuation of people from at least 100 properties in Coffs Harbour.
The Bellinger River peaked at 8.6 metres at eight o'clock (AEDT) last night .. leaving 16-hundred residents of Bellingen stranded.
The SES says another one thousand people in the Darkwood and Kalang areas could be isolated for the next couple of days.
Residents of caravan parks at both Bellingen and Repton have been evacuated .. with those living at 12 properties in Macksville also forced to leave their homes.
The SES says it had rescued 60 people by midnight .. mostly from the Coffs Harbour region .. and generally those trapped in homes or walking through floodwater.
A number of roads have been closed, including the Pacific Highway and Waterfall Way.
Emergency Services Minister STEVE WHAN will visit the region today.
Drivers can check the RTA traffic information line on 131 700 or log on to www.rta.nsw.gov.au for the latest information.
