Guardian

NSW floods: thousands stranded in mid-north coast with more heavy rain to come

Metaculus

People Affected by Natural Disasters

Reuters

Flash Floods Cut Off Inland Australian Towns Residents Flee Rooftops 2025 05 21

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"[C]limate change is just a very, very expensive form of tax."

"I believe in climate change caused by human beings. What I'm skeptical about is the glib notion that it means the end of the world as we know it."

"The clock is no longer just ticking, it is banging."

"There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change."

"The time for seeking global solutions [to climate change] is running out."

"The climate crisis is the existential threat. That's not hyperbole; it's a fact."

"[W]e are killing our planet."

Climate change is "above all, an existential crisis."

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges mankind faces."

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"Humanity is on thin ice — and that ice is melting fast."

"We haven't yet exceeded the bounds of viable human civilisation, but we're getting close."

Is Climate Change an Existential Threat?

Heavy rainfall across New South Wales' (NSW) mid-north coast triggered unprecedented flooding, with the Manning River at Taree surpassing its 1929 record level of 6 meters (19.6 feet), reaching 6.39 meters by Wednesday morning, marking a rare one-in-500-year flood event.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Heavy rainfall across New South Wales' (NSW) mid-north coast triggered unprecedented flooding, with the Manning River at Taree surpassing its 1929 record level of 6 meters (19.6 feet), reaching 6.39 meters by Wednesday morning, marking a rare one-in-500-year flood event.

Emergency services conducted over 280 rescues across the region, with approximately 48,800 people and 23,200 dwellings cut off by floodwaters, as communities in Taree, Wingham, and Glenthorne faced severe isolation and evacuation challenges.</span

Emergency services conducted over 280 rescues across the region, with approximately 48,800 people and 23,200 dwellings cut off by floodwaters, as communities in Taree, Wingham, and Glenthorne faced severe isolation and evacuation challenges.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned of continued severe weather conditions, predicting additional rainfall of 100-200mm, with some areas receiving up to 300mm over 24 hours, leading to flash flooding warnings for multiple regions including Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.</span

The Bureau of Meteorology warned of continued severe weather conditions, predicting additional rainfall of 100-200mm, with some areas receiving up to 300mm over 24 hours, leading to flash flooding warnings for multiple regions including Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

Several towns recorded extraordinary rainfall totals, with Mooral Creek receiving 449mm, Mount Seaview 430mm, and Taree Airport recording 416mm - equivalent to 4-5 months' worth of typical rainfall for the region.</span

Several towns recorded extraordinary rainfall totals, with Mooral Creek receiving 449mm, Mount Seaview 430mm, and Taree Airport recording 416mm - equivalent to 4-5 months' worth of typical rainfall for the region.

Emergency services deployed every available asset, including helicopters and boats, to assist with rescues, while the Australian Defence Force provided additional support with two helicopters to aid in evacuation efforts.</span

Emergency services deployed every available asset, including helicopters and boats, to assist with rescues, while the Australian Defence Force provided additional support with two helicopters to aid in evacuation efforts.

The federal and NSW governments activated disaster support funding for 16 flood-affected local government areas, providing assistance for immediate necessities, grants for low-income residents, and support for local councils' clean-up efforts.</span

The federal and NSW governments activated disaster support funding for 16 flood-affected local government areas, providing assistance for immediate necessities, grants for low-income residents, and support for local councils' clean-up efforts.

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The emergency response system demonstrated remarkable efficiency and coordination in managing this crisis. Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams successfully conducted hundreds of operations, while government agencies swiftly activated support mechanisms. The rapid deployment of resources and establishment of evacuation centers showcased the effectiveness of emergency preparedness and response protocols.

The emergency response system demonstrated remarkable efficiency and coordination in managing this crisis. Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams successfully conducted hundreds of operations, while government agencies swiftly activated support mechanisms. The rapid deployment of resources and establishment of evacuation centers showcased the effectiveness of emergency preparedness and response protocols.

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Too late to leave as floodwaters rise in Hunter region

Record Floods Strand Thousands in NSW, Break Century-Old Marks

The unprecedented flooding represents a clear manifestation of climate change impacts on weather patterns. With the atmosphere holding more water in warmer conditions, these extreme events are becoming more frequent and intense, creating a constant state of disaster recovery for communities. The record-breaking flood levels and rainfall totals demonstrate the urgent need for climate action and improved resilience planning.

The unprecedented flooding represents a clear manifestation of climate change impacts on weather patterns. With the atmosphere holding more water in warmer conditions, these extreme events are becoming more frequent and intense, creating a constant state of disaster recovery for communities. The record-breaking flood levels and rainfall totals demonstrate the urgent need for climate action and improved resilience planning.

AdaptNSW

Climate change impacts on storms and floods

The emergency response system demonstrated remarkable efficiency and coordination in managing this crisis. Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams successfully conducted hundreds of operations, while government agencies swiftly activated support mechanisms. Scholars are skeptical to what extent climate change as exacerbated the floods, so let us stay grounded and focus on the response and preparing for future floods.

The emergency response system demonstrated remarkable efficiency and coordination in managing this crisis. Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams successfully conducted hundreds of operations, while government agencies swiftly activated support mechanisms. Scholars are skeptical to what extent climate change as exacerbated the floods, so let us stay grounded and focus on the response and preparing for future floods.

The Conversation

NSW is copping rain and flooding while parts of Australia are in drought. Whats going on?

Record Floods Strand Thousands in NSW, Break Century-Old Marks

Record Floods Strand Thousands in NSW, Break Century-Old Marks

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Record Floods Strand Thousands in NSW, Break Century-Old Marks

Record Floods Strand Thousands in NSW, Break Century-Old Marks

The Spin

The Controversies

Trump

Michaels

Harris

Sunak

Francis

Biden

Macron

Thunberg

Merkel

Attenborough

Guterres

Mann

Articles on this story

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