Help is available for those who are isolated by flood waters

November 27, 2021

If you are isolated by flood waters in the Gunnedah Shire – there is help available.

Gunnedah Shire Council and the NSW State Emergency Service are urging residents to reach out if they are isolated and in need of food, emergency or medical supplies.

“Some people have now been isolated by flood waters for a week, with no certainty about when it will be safe to travel to stock up on supplies,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey.

“Added to the worries about supplies for the family and possible medical conditions are additional concerns about livestock and crops, with this flood coming at a terrible time for those who were about to harvest bumper crops.

“I want to assure people that you are not alone in this. There is help available, and we urge you to contact those who can offer assistance.”

Incident Controller for NSW SES, David Monk, said resupply can be organised for Gunnedah residents who may become isolated during this flooding event.

Mr Monk said residents should call 132 500 to seek assistance with food, emergency and medical supplies, and 000 if the situation was life threatening.

“It’s essential that people not drive through floodwaters where they could risk their own lives and the lives of their passengers,” Mr Monk added.

“The SES is hard at work in Gunnedah and other flood-impacted areas assisting where possible, including registering people who are isolated and who need help. If it’s not safe, stay at home and contact 132 500 if you are in urgent need of supplies.”

Cr Chaffey thanked the SES, other emergency services and all others who are volunteering at this time for the work they are doing throughout the Shire to help keep people safe during this natural disaster.

“Once again, it is a small group of people who give tirelessly of their time and their skills to help us through this time,” he said.

“We would also like to thank the State and Federal governments for officially recognising Gunnedah Shire as a Natural Disaster Area, ensuring assistance will be available for people who have been significantly impacted, and for Council to help our Shire with the recovery.

“Our thoughts are with those who have had their homes, farms or businesses flooded, and those who remain isolated.”

Helpful information and contacts: • Flood emergency assistance - State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500. • Weather warnings, rainfall and river heights – Bureau of Meteorology: bom.gov.au or 1300 945 108. • Local road closures - Gunnedah Shire Council: (02) 67402100 or https://bit.ly/3nR9Bv2 • Live Traffic NSW: livetraffic.com • Stormwater drainage information – https://bit.ly/3oOG1FV • Rural animal and livestock assistance – Local Land Services: lls.nsw.gov.au • Gunnedah Police: (02) 67429099 • For life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000) immediately • Local Land Services 1300 795 299 • For disaster assistance through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement that may include: o Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply) o Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets o Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations o Freight subsidies for primary producers, and o Grants to eligible non-profit organisations o Contact NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Caption: The Namoi River rising at Gunnedah.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.