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9.45pm: Major flooding is reportedly continuing to ease along the Paterson River at Gostwyck Bridge after a record flood peak of 16.1 metres earlier today.
8pm: Some amazing video from earlier today ...
7.25pm: The latest update from the Transport Management Centre about the Hunter's roads:
- Sections of the Pacific Highway have been reduced to one lane between Hexham and Karuah due to a number of fallen trees.
- Maitland Road is closed at Old Maitland Road in Hexham due to flooding.
- Main Road is closed between Heddon Street and Russell Street (between Heddon Greta and Gillieston Heights) due to flooding.
- The Esplanade is closed between Nobbys Road and Watts Street in Newcastle due to flooding.
- Industrial Drive is closed for light vehicles near Grose Street in Tighes Hill due to flooding.
- One southbound lane is closed on the Pacific Highway near Northcott Drive in Adamstown Heights due to fallen trees.
- Traffic lights are blacked out at various locations around the Hunter.
6.24pm: Two new evacuation centres have been set up in response to the ongoing severe weather conditions impacting the Hunter region.
An evacuation centre is operating at the Senior Citizens Centre, 17E Irrawang Road, Raymond Terrace, while at East Maitland an evacuation centre is operating at the Shamrock Multipurpose Centre, Ashton Field.
An evacuation centre set up earlier at the Dungog High School has now been closed.
When evacuating, residents are advised:
- Take your important documents, mementos and photos
- Take your spare clothing, medicines and personal hygiene supplies
- If you are going to the evacuation centre, take blankets/sleeping bags, pillows and sleeping mats.
- If possible, check to see if your neighbours need help
- Small domestic animals can be brought to the evacuation centre.
5.59pm: And as if it hasn't been a truly devastating day, now this:
5.55pm: An update from the Transport Management Centre regarding Hunter roads this evening:
- Sections of the Pacific Highway have been reduced to one lane between Hexham and Karuah due to a number of fallen trees.
- Maitland Road is closed at Old Maitland Road in Hexham due to flooding.
- Main Road is closed between Heddon Street and Russell Street (between Heddon Greta and Gillieston Heights) due to flooding.
- The Esplanade is closed between Nobbys Road and Watts Street in Newcastle due to flooding.
- Industrial Drive is closed for light vehicles near Grose Street in Tighes Hill due to flooding, but heavy vehicles can still get through.
- One southbound lane is closed on the Pacific Highway near Northcott Drive in Adamstown Heights due to fallen trees.
- Traffic lights are blacked out at various locations around the Hunter.
The Pacific Highway has reopened northbound 10km north of Raymond Terrace, and in both directions at Bucketts Way in Twelve Mile Creek due to fallen trees and flooding. The highway has also reopened in both directions at Oakdale Road in Gateshead after earlier flooding.
It is reported Dungog received a record 312mm and a whopping 145mm in three hours.
4.55pm: Update from the Transport Management Centre regarding Hunter roads:
- The Pacific Highway is closed northbound 10km north of Raymond Terrace, and in both directions at Bucketts Way in Twelve Mile Creek due to fallen trees and flooding, and in both directions at Oakdale Road in Gateshead due to flooding.
- Sections of the Pacific Highway have been reduced to one lane between Hexham and Karuah due to a number of fallen trees.
- Maitland Road is closed at Old Maitland Road in Hexham due to flooding.
- Main Road is closed between Heddon Street and Russell Street (between Heddon Greta and Gillieston Heights) due to flooding.
- The Esplanade is closed between Nobbys Road and Watts Street in Newcastle due to flooding.
- Industrial Drive is closed for light vehicles near Grose Street in Tighes Hill due to flooding, but heavy vehicles can still get through.
- One southbound lane is closed on the Pacific Highway near Northcott Drive in Adamstown Heights due to fallen trees.
- Traffic lights are blacked out at various locations around the Hunter.
The New England Highway has reopened between Branxton and Greta after being closed earlier due to flooding.
4pm: From AusGrid:
Customers using life support equipment should be activating their back up plans in case of an extended outage to their home. Neighbours are also encouraged to check on elderly residents and others who might need assistance.
3.40pm: Residents in Dungog and surrounding areas are urged to, where possible, go and stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements. For those who need assistance, an evacuation centre has been set up at the Dungog High School, Eloiza Street, Dungog.
3.25pm: The Paterson village, just north of Maitland, could become isolated this afternoon as waters rise. The Gostwyck Bridge gauge upstream has continued to rise faster than expected.
NSW SES expected that the Paterson River would peak near 16 metres about 2pm this afternoon which is higher than the March 1978 peak.
Road travel between Paterson and Woodville Road at Dunns Creek might close along with access to nearby Iona.
The rain could also close Tocal Road near Clements Bridge about three kilometres south of Paterson. If Tocal Road and the Paterson to Woodville Road close the village of Paterson might be completely isolated.
Woodville to Seaham Road at Taylors Bridge could also be affected.
The next NSW SES flood bulletin is expected at 5pm.
3.15pm: Glennies Creek at Bridgman (about 2km upstream of the Middle Falbrook gauge, north of Singleton), is looking decidedly more river-like than creek, just before it peaked at 6.116m at 9.30 am this morning.
This is the second highest peak since records began in the 1950s, says Kirrily Pollock "... only June 2007 was higher (7.799m). We've had 191mm in total yesterday and today... and yes, it's still raining!"
3pm: An update on conditions in the Hunter from the Transport Management Centre:
- The Pacific Highway is closed northbound 10km north of Raymond Terrace due to fallen trees and flooding, and there is no suitable diversion.
- The Pacific Highway is also closed in both directions at Bucketts Way in Twelve Mile Creek due to fallen trees and flooding, and there is also no suitable diversion.
- Sections of the Pacific Highway have been reduced to one lane between Hexham and Karuah due to a number of fallen trees.
- The New England Highway is closed between Branxton and Greta due to flooding.
- Maitland Road is closed at Old Maitland Road in Hexham due to flooding.
- Alternating (stop/slow) is in place on the Pacific Highway between Heatherbrae and Karuah as a clean up takes place to remove fallen trees.
- The Esplanade is closed between Nobbys Road and Watts Street in Newcastle due to flooding.
- Industrial Drive is closed for light vehicles near Grose Street in Tighes Hill due to flooding, but heavy vehicles can still get through.
- One southbound lane is closed on the Pacific Highway near Northcott Drive in Adamstown Heights due to fallen trees .
- Eastbound traffic is affected on John Renshaw Drive near Four Mile Creek in Black Hill by a fallen tree.
- Traffic lights are blacked out at various locations around the Hunter.
2.52pm: And don't think they've missed out in Cessnock. Knee-deep water abounds!
2.42pm: Mortels Sheepskin Factory at Thornton is about to flood. The pet shop next door is already under water.
2.20pm: "The weather is forecast to worsen tonight so the SES is encouraging people to head home early while it's still daylight. Stay safe everyone," Tweeted NSW Premier Mike Baird.
2.08pm: Reports of power lines down at Hinton.
Maitland Vale Road and Luskintyre Road closed.
And there are continued reports that the Hunter River has broken its banks at Hexham near the northbound on-ramp travelling from Tarro.
1.55pm: The Public Information and Inquiry Centre has been activated to support the current severe weather response in NSW. It is currently open and members of the public can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) on 1800 227 228, regarding information on the flood and storm operation across NSW.
Additional information in relation to the flood and severe weather warnings can be viewed on www.emergency.nsw.gov.au.
It should be noted that this inquiry hotline does not replace any emergency hotlines. For emergency flood calls please call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.
STROUD: Mill Creek reportedly rose so fast in Stroud overnight that campers at Stroud Showground had mere seconds to get to get high ground.
The Gloucester Advocate's Julie Farley, who lives at Stroud, said one local man coming home from night shift early this morning had stopped to warn the campers and had been forced to take refuge on the grandstand at the showground.
"The cricket nets ended up on his car," Mrs Farley said. "The showground is ruined. The grandstand's moved on its foundations, the chook sheds are gone. The brick stalls in front of the toilet block have disappeared."
Houses to the north and south of the showground were also inundated by the flooding.
"It just went right through the houses," Mrs Farley said. "There's a house to the south of the showground where a heap of kids live. They had to be rescued from their roof."
Mrs Farley said the floodwaters had receded and the Bucketts Way had reopened to traffic, but rain had again started to fall in the town.
1.25pm: Early reports the New England Highway at Green Hills has been cut off by water. Major flood peak of 16.0 metres expected at Gostwyck Bridge at around 2pm. This is higher than the March 1978 flood peak.
1.10pm: The Hunter Expressway, New England Highway and old Pacific Highway are all closed due to flooding and fallen trees.
Roads across Singleton also are affected by the wild weather. Find out more here
1pm: Heavy falls exceeding 160 millimetres have been recorded in the last three hours to midday in the lower Hunter Valley to the north of Maitland. Further heavy falls are expected this afternoon which could produce some further river rises.
Moderate flooding is expected in Maitland early Wednesday morning and at Raymond Terrace on Tuesday night with the high tide, with further rises possible.
Major flooding is also expected along the Wollombi Brook.
At this stage it is not possible to predict the flood peak because of uncertainty over how much more rain will fall.
Predicted River Heights/Flows:
- Bulga (Wollombi Brook) - with forecast rain reach major flood level (4.6 metres) around 9am Wednesday morning - further rises possible
- Maitland (Belmore Bridge) - reach moderate flood level (8.9 metres) around 3am Wednesday morning - further rises possible
- Raymond Terrace - reach 3.3 metres around midnight with moderate flooding - further rises possible
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500. For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.
12.52pm: The Hunter Expressway at Branxton.
DUNGOG: Raging flash floods have claimed the lives of three elderly people and four houses have washed away in Dungog. Two men and one woman were trapped in their residences as flood water surged through the town in the early hours of Tuesday.
12.30pm: The Hunter Expressway at Branxton between Wine Country Drive and New England Highway has been closed in both directions due to flooding. Avoid the area.
12.17am: Banks Street at East Maitland is under water with emergency crews on site. Garbage bins are floating down the street and cars have been abandoned. Homes in Denman Street Maitland have been inundated with water. Cars are also stopped at Beresfield dur to water on the road.
11.43am: Bligh Street, Telarah, has been inundated with flood water. The rising water behind Hartcher Field has partially covered parked cars in the street. Water is racing to the low lying end of the street, near the railway track
11.40am: Emergency crews are responding to more than 3000 reports of hazards including fallen poles and powerlines and trees on wires after major storms cut power to 215,000 homes and businesses in Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter.
Of that number 90,000 customers are estimated to be in Newcastle, the Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens: 90,000 customers.
11.38am WINE COUNTRY: A large tree is down on Allandale Road Pokolbin opposite the hot air balloon cafe. It has blocked almost both lanes and is making it difficult for traffic to get through.
All of Allandale Road is covered in gushing water, it is reportedly flowing in torrents and is a couple of feet deep.
Police have blocked traffic towards Lochinvar and motorist are being turned around.
At Keinbah there is water across the road at wheel depth and most motorists are choosing to turn around. Emergency services are reminding people not to enter flood waters. Water is coming off the high land across wine country and is creating small gushing rivers across most roads
Traffic on Wine Country Drive has slowed to a crawl as water builds.
11.15am: A 47-year-old tree that graced the front garden outside Maitland City Library was sent crashing to t he ground during the raging storm on Monday night.
Planted in 1968, the tree - the type of pine tree called Cedrus Deadasra was uprooted and sent toppling to the ground outside the Library building.
"It was an iconic tree that has been here for so long," said city librarian Keryl Collard. "We were extremely lucky it did not hit the building.
"That tree has been here every time I came to work since I started in 1980," said library staff member Peter Woodley.
11.05am: Localised flooding in Lorn, but no road closures or property inundations at this stage. Road debris and water making it difficult for motorists in the area.
11am: People can anticipate slow phone and internet services in Maitland today. The Mercury has received anecdotal reports of jams on the Telstra mobile network.
Telstra was unable to confirm specific impacts on Maitland this morning but issued this statement:
"Severe storms in NSW overnight have resulted in widespread power outages, which have significantly impacted Telstra services.
"We are currently experiencing impacts to our 2G and 3G mobile services, landlines, ADSL, BigPond cable and Foxtel services between Nowra and Taree, including metropolitan Sydney.
"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience and assure them that we are working to restore power to these sites as quickly as possible to get their services working again."
10.55am: Power is now out to more than 180,000 people throughout the Central Coast, Hunter and Sydney. Crews working to get power back safely. This has increased from 55,000 sites just three hours ago.
Unconfirmed reports parts of High Street in Maitland are underwater near the post office.
Power lines are still down on that end of the High street as well. Emergency crews reminding people to stay at home and off the roads.
10.45am: From the SES: Predicted River Heights/Flows:
Bulga (Wollombi Brook) - reach minor flood level (3 metres) around midnight Maitland (Belmore Bridge) - reach 7 metres with minor flooding around midnight - further rises possible with the heavy rain falling later this morning
The likely consequences of this are that low-lying rural areas between Greta and Millers Forest may be flooded and rural roads may close if the river rises continue. These are likely to include:
- 1.3 metres: Aberglasslyn Road at Melville Ford Bridge is closed. An alternative route to Maitland Vale and Rosebrook is available via Lochinvar or Bolwarra Heights.
- 4.9 metres: Stanhope Road at Kilfoyles Bridge may close between Luskintyre Road and Lambs Valley Road. An alternate route is available via Branxton and Stanhope.
- Windermere Road at Lochinvar Creek may close causing isolation of a small number of homes at Windermere.
- 7.2 metres: Brush Farm Road at Pitnacree (East Maitland) may close.
10.43am: Homes on Bligh Street, Telarah, are underwater. Flood water is entering eight houses and there are two cars reportedly floating along the street.
10.30am: A bus reportedly crashed into a power pole earlier this morning on McFarlanes Road near Morpeth. Maitland police have just confirmed the bus aquaplaned off the road and there was only a driver on board at the time. No one was hurt. Stephen Yates took the photo below on his way to work
10.20am: The Bureau of Meteorology has just announced minor flood warning for Maitland and Wollombi.
The latest river level reading for Gostwyck Bridge was 11.94 metres at 8:30am this morning and forecast have been adjusted to reflect this.
Gostwyck Br: Peak near 13 metres around noon with major flooding
Dungog: Peak near 9 metres around noon with major flooding
Mill Dam Falls: Peak near 11 metres around 3pm this afternoon with major flooding
Heavy falls exceeding 100 millimetres have been recorded in the last hour to 10am in the lower Hunter Valley to the north of Maitland. Further heavy falls are expected this morning.
This rain is expected to cause minor flooding in Maitland around midnight tonight with further rises possible.
Minor flooding is also expected along the Wollombi Brook.
At this stage it is not possible to predict the flood peak because of uncertainty over how much more rain will fall.
10.07am: About 800 firefighters in 200 trucks have been working through what they describe as one of the organisation's busiest nights ever.
Commissioner Greg Mullins said Fire and Rescue NSW took more than 3000 Triple Zero calls since 6pm Monday, including rescuing a number of people trapped in Stroud.
On Monday night a Raymond Terrace firefighter was hurt when a large tree crushed a fire truck cabin at Heatherbrae. He suffered minor injuries and is in a stable condition.
At Morriset, downed powerlines trapped firefighters inside their truck.
Commissioner Mullins said FRNSW would continue to support SES volunteers: “I can only praise firefighters and our other emergency service colleagues for their mighty effort."
10.05am: Trees have fallen, power has been cut and traffic lights are across Maitland as storms lashed the Hunter on Tuesday.
State Emergency Services crews reportedly had more than 80 call outs in the Maitland area at about 9am.
Many businesses across the city are closed.
Tocal Road, near Tocal College, is under rising flood water at certain points.
SINGLETON: St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton High School, Kirkton Public and Mt Pleasant Public schools have been closed due to the inclement weather. Parents are being urged to keep their children at home if possible as there is minimal supervision available on site.
Singleton Heights, King Street, Singleton Public, Jerrys Plains schools remain open.
Wild weather has lashed large parts of the eastern coast, NSW State Emergency Services (SES) have taken on 3136 jobs and 19 flood rescues since 10am on Monday - 1000 of those are from the Hunter alone.
The SES reminds people there is a backlog of calls and asks the public to be patient, jobs that are life critical are taking priority before storm damage jobs.
"We understand that you wish to get through but the only way to register your job correctly is though the 132 500 number," an SES spokesperson said.
Rainfall has hit the region hard at Lower Belford where 70mm of rain has hit the ground since since 7am. This weather system is expected to move gradually south throughout the day.
9.53am: Greater Building Society Hunter and Central Coast branches closed today.
The Greater Building Society has closed all of its 34 branches in the Hunter and Central Coast regions for the safety of staff and customers.
The Greater’s internet banking, mobile banking, phone banking and ATM networks are all fully operational.
The Greater’s customer service centre on 1300 651 400 and social media channels are also operational to assist customers with their banking needs. They have reduced staff today so customers’ patience is appreciated.
9.48am: Mercury reporters have confirmed Tocal Road near Tocal College is completely flooded. Avoid the area and never drive through flood waters.
Hunter Water confirms low pressure system worse than June 2007 when storms caused severe damage across the Hunter.
9.40am: Hunter New England Health is asking the community to not attend non-urgent clinic appointments or to visit local facilities unless absolutely necessary.
A number of HNE facilities have been affected by the weather in the Greater Newcastle area and Buladelah.
All emergency services continue to operate.
Please call 000 in an emergency.
9.35am: The majority of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle area either closed or operating on minimal staff today.
Parents in storm-affected areas are advised to keep children at home, if possible, as normal classes will not be running today.
For more information please contact your school directly.
9.30am: Chichester Dam overflowing uncontrollably, says a Hunter Water spokesman.
9.25am: No access to Cessnock through Neath. Road blocked at the Neath Hotel. Power lines down at Kearsley, blocking the road and access to Cessnock.
Cessnock Police are struggling to respond to calls, with 80 jobs awaiting police attendance.
9.05am: Rutherford SES is about to launch its flood boat. The Mercury cannot confirm this is in relation to a flood rescue under way for people at Martins Creek, near Keppie Lane.
Aberglasslyn Road is closed at the SES roundabout and the fire brigade is in attendance. All traffic is being diverted.
Rutherford Shopping Centre is closed due to a power outage, and the traffic lights are out at the Arthur Street intersection.
There are crews removing fallen trees off power lines on Wollombi Road.
Farley Underpass is flooded.
MARTINS CREEK RD: 1km past Keppie Lane, from Maitland towards Dungog it is believed a school bus has been washed off the road. It is understod to be leaning against trees, an unknown number of people are in the vehicle which may be isolated by floodwaters.
9am: Wild weather is expected to disrupt classes in the Hunter today.
There have been radio reports to keep children at home today but the Department of Education and Communities has advised this will not apply to all schools.
Parents are advised to contact their school to determine if students should attend class today.
The department is expected to release a list of closed schools shortly.
BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY 8.54am update:
- Destructive winds averaging 90 to 100 km/h with peak gusts up to 135 km/h are forecast for coastal parts of the Hunter forecast district (including the Central Coast) today.
- Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts to about 100 km/h are forecast to continue along the coastal fringe of the Metropolitan and Illawarra forecast districts today.
- Heavy rainfall is likely in the Hunter district, but also possible about the Metropolitan and Illawarra districts.
- Very heavy surf which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is forecast for the Metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra forecast districts. Beach conditions in these areas are dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
Wind gusts overnight: 135 km/h at Norah Head, 120 km/h at Nobbys Head, 90 to 100 km/h at Williamtown, North Head, and Sydney Airport.
8.35am: An eldery man and woman were rescued from the Stroud Showground by a paramedic who hitched a ride in a tinnie. The couple is being treated for hypothermia and will be taken to a nearby nursing home for treatment.
Emergency services received the call for help about 5am Tuesday.
SINGLETON: St Catherine's Catholic College is advising parents if possible to keep children at home today due to the severe weather conditions. There will be minimal supervision at the college should the students attend.
8.30am: Up to 207 millimetres of rain has fallen during the past 30 hours to 6am today. However, the rain intensity has increased during the past nine hours, with 95 millimetres falling during this period.
Further heavy rain is forecast for the next 36 hours. This rain is expected to cause major flooding along the Paterson and Williams Rivers. At this stage it is not possible to predict the flood peak because of uncertainty over how much more rain will fall.
8am: 137.2 millimetres since 9am yesterday according to BOM gauge at Tocal.
7.45am: Storm winds and rain have caused havoc across Maitland with reports winds are almost at cyclone strength. Power lines are down on High Street Maitland, NSW Fire and Rescue are on site and part of the road is closed to traffic. A large tree is down at East Maitland Public School and there has been extensive damage to signage at the Melbourne Street intersection.
Trees are down across the LGA and branches are across most roads. Traffic was down to 40 kilometres and hour on some parts of the New England Highway due to debris on the road.
On Cessnock Road between Gillieston and Maitland there are trees down and branches strewn across the road. There are also trees down at the Maitland Hospital roundabout near Hungry Jacks. Motorists are asked to be careful when driving and it is suggested to stay indoors.