Police urge motorists to drive safely after three people died and a man remains missing in floodwaters as severe weather continues to impact the Mid North Coast.
On Wednesday, 21 May a woman was travelling between Sydney and Coffs Harbour when she stopped west of Dorrigo about 7pm and spoke to a Traffic and Highway Patrol officer.
Both left, driving along Coramba Road towards Coffs Harbour before stopping at Wild Cattle Creek Bridge, as they came across water over the roadway. The officer – driving a BMW sedan – checked the water level, which was ankle deep, and spoke to the woman, advising her he would turn around.
The woman continued driving in a Holden 4WD towards Coffs Harbour, as the officer told her to be careful, and exchanged his phone number with her.
About 30 minutes later, the officer received a call that the woman was in trouble near Morora Road, Brooklana, about 30km west of Coffs Harbour.
Officers attached to Coffs-Clarence Police District and NSW SES attended and searched the area; however, they were unable to locate the woman or her vehicle.
The multi-agency search was suspended overnight before resuming on Thursday morning 22 May with the assistance of NSW SES.
During the search, the woman’s vehicle was located in floodwaters at Brooklana.
NSW SES operators worked to access the vehicle, and the body of a woman was recovered from the vehicle about 2pm Thursday, 22 May.
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman, aged in her 60s.
In separate incidents, the body of a 63-year-old man was found in a residence impacted by flooding at a Moto property and the body of a 34-year-old man was located near Rosewood; while a third man, aged 49, remains missing at Nymboida, about 40km south of Grafton.
As severe weather continues to impact the NSW Mid-North Coast, all non-essential travel during the flood event should be avoided.
Police urge the public to adhere to all safety messaging and not to travel onto flooded roadways.
What to do
Members of the public in flood affected areas should continue to listen to local radio stations, or check the websites listed below.
If seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500, or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
NSW Police remind people in flood affected areas to register their movements using the Register, Find, Reunite website – https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/about-register-find-reunite/ – which is a National system managed and operated by Australian Red Cross.
It is a service which registers, finds and reunites family, friends and loved ones after an Emergency. It allows people to:
- Register to let people know they are safe
- Find people who may be affected by an Emergency and know they are safe
- Reunite through a matching process which enables Police, with consent, to share details of family and friends with each other.
For the latest weather warnings, please visit the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/.
In life-threatening situations and emergencies, the public are advised to contact Triple Zero (000).
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