There are more than 16,500 people stranded in New South Wales because of flooding. The New South Wales Emergency Services has issued several evacuations orders telling people to move to higher ground. There are also several towns in Queensland, which neighbors New South Wales, which are under flood warnings. Residents who live near sources of water, such as creeks and rivers or downstream from the same, have been urged to go to higher ground for safety, too.
In Charlesville, Queensland, residents are hoping that levees around the town will keep the rising water at bay. However, emergency officials believe that the river will be over the levee within 12 hours. Other communities in Queensland have had supplies, such as food and medical equipment, airlifted in because all other means of accessing the towns are flooded.
Officials in New South Wales have declared much of the state a natural disaster area. It’s the worst flooding in almost six decades and aerial footage from media helicopters shows that more than 300 businesses and homes are flooded. The State Emergency Service has rescued 18 people from the raging flood waters. That number includes six people that were rescued from the roof of a shed. In the water surrounding the shed were several snakes.
Qantas Airlines flew a special flight into Moree Saturday. It was full of milk and other fresh foods. The Namoi River is out of its banks and emergency crews had to rescue one person who stuck inside a vehicle on a bridge that was flooded out.
All roads into Wee Waa are flooded, as is its local airport. The New South Wales Emergency Services expects the flooding to continue to rise until at least next week. Officials are constantly reminding people not to drive, walk, or ride through flood waters, as this is what causes the highest number of deaths during floods.
