TWO State Emergency Service crews from the Central West travelled to Gosford yesterday afternoon to assist in the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.
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Four volunteers from Bathurst and three from Orange arrived in Hornsby yesterday afternoon, where they will assist SES crews on the Central Coast.
Central West region controller Craig Ronan yesterday said volunteers were undertaking a 48-hour deployment to help with the storm damage operation.
“The NSW coast has been battered by remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald, with strong winds, big waves and high tides,” Mr Ronan said.
“Rain and wind are expected to continue until the end of the day, and crews will spend the next couple of days cleaning up the damage.
“Every little bit makes a difference. Through this experience, our volunteers will learn new skills and, when they return, will use those skills to help our region.”
Local volunteers will relieve crews in Gosford. They will secure damaged roofs and sandbag places as required.
Mr Ronan has been in daily conferences with the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services officials as the flood crisis continues. On mobilising the Bathurst and Orange units early yesterday morning, he offered his gratitude to employers for allowing volunteers to take time off work.
“I’d like to thank employers for allowing volunteers to go to Sydney, but also for allowing them to attend incidents in our region as they happen,” he said.
Parts of the NSW coast were drenched by a wild storm on Monday night, and the effects of a widespread flooding disaster in Queensland are continuing.
According to Weatherzone, 16mm of rain fell in Bathurst on Monday. Mr Ronan said while the city was on the cusp of the storm system, he had anticipated crews would be busier.
“Bathurst only had a couple of leaking roofs and tree jobs,” he said.
The region controller added that storm season had been interesting so far.
“Bathurst has had major storms on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as last week on Tuesday and Wednesday,” he said. “However, the worst is yet to come. February is historically the worst month for Bathurst, so people need to be prepared.”
Mr Ronan urged residents to prepare for storms and offered a timely reminder following the deaths of four people in Queensland’s flood crisis.
“Never enter or drive through floodwaters,” he warned.
