NSW: Two thousand people still cut off after floods: SES
03 Apr 2009 10:21 AM
SYDNEY, April 3 AAP - Up to 2,000 people remain isolated after torrential rain brought widespread flooding to the NSW mid-north coast earlier this week.
More rain is forecast for the Coffs Harbour area for Saturday but rivers continue to drop from minor flood levels in surrounding areas.
The flood-ravaged Clarence Valley is the latest area in the region to be declared a natural disaster area - joining Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca Heads.
It is the second time in just six weeks the region has been declared a disaster zone, following heavy rain in February.
About 1,500 residents remain isolated upstream from Bellingen, in the towns of Thora and Darkwood, and in communities in the Kalang Valley.
The State Emergency Service (SES) said flood waters had receded on Friday but people would remain isolated until sections of main roads, washed away in the storms, were repaired.
Another 300 residents are cut off near the Orara River and 180 on the Macleay River, which are at minor flood levels and falling.
The SES expects access to be restored to both areas by Friday afternoon.
Supplies have been airlifted to people in need but many are well stocked because floods are a frequent event in the areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecast increasing showers for the Coffs Harbour area on Saturday and possible rain for Sunday.
SES spokesman Dave Webber said crews had been ready on Thursday but the weather had been less severe than expected.
"It was predicted to get heavier rainfalls than we did and that didn't eventuate, which was good," Mr Webber told AAP.
"And there were no rises in any rivers overnight - they actually fell."
The damage bill has so far exceed $27 million, with the Insurance Council of Australia saying more than 2,000 claims have been lodged.
Continued rain across the region has raised fears the flooding may be prolonged, particularly with heavy falls causing flash flooding in south-east Queensland on Thursday.
The SES is not expecting problems to emerge on the far-north coast of NSW but will be ready in the Coffs Harbour area over the weekend if showers cause river levels to rise.
"We've put on standby teams to be available over that period if they're need in those areas," Mr Webber said.
The SES has responded to 1,210 requests for assistance since Monday.
