Floods in New South Wales

Parts of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia have seen heavy rain since 22 September 2022, triggering floods in several parts of the state. State Emergency Services (NSW SES) carried over 40 high water rescues. NSW Police reported one person died in flood waters in the Central West Region.

Flooding in Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia, September 2022. Photo: NSW SES
On 24 September NSW Police said the body of a young boy was located in a vehicle that was swept away in flood waters at the Genaren Creek in Tullamore near Parkes, in the state’s Central West overnight.

Four occupants of the vehicle escaped and were able to cling to trees until they were rescued and taken to hospital. Tragically the five-year-old boy became trapped in the car before it submerged. A second vehicle was later swept away by floods in the same location but the occupants escaped unharmed.

NSW SES reported heavy rainfall brought by to a slow-moving low-pressure system impacted areas of the state from 22 September. According to figures from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), the weather station at Meldrum recorded 370 mm of rain fell in 48 hours to 23 September. In a 24 hour period to 23 September, Lowanna near Coffs Harbour recorded 186 mm and Wooli Beach near Grafton saw 149.8 mm.