Hunter and Mid North Coast Submerged in Once-in-a-Century Flood Crisis

22 May 2025

newy.com.au – A once-in-a-century flood crisis has gripped the Hunter and Mid North Coast, submerging towns, isolating tens of thousands, and triggering mass rescues as swollen rivers surged far beyond known records. From the sodden streets of Dungog to the inundated suburbs of Taree, residents are grappling with a disaster described by Premier Chris Minns as “unlike anything since 1920”, as emergency services work around the clock to protect life and property.

Transport links across the region have been severely affected. One major route, Seaham Road at the Fitzgerald Bridge between Maitland and Raymond Terrace, has been cut off by rising floodwaters. The closure has forced motorists onto lengthy detours via Hexham, significantly increasing travel times and adding strain to already congested alternative routes.

The Newcastle LGA wasn’t spared, with widespread impacts including fallen trees in Cooks Hill, flooding in New Lambton, Beresfield and Sandgate, and downed train wires at Hamilton and flooding at Sandgate disrupting public transport. In Lake Macquarie, floodwaters affected suburbs such as Warners Bay, Gateshead and Dora Creek.

In the Hunter region, tributaries like Wollombi Brook and the Paterson and Williams Rivers have overtopped previous flood peaks, deluging townships such as Broke, Bulga, and Dungog. The Williams River hit around 8.6 metres at Dungog, a level not seen in over 100 years, before easing slightly. The Paterson River at Gostwyck peaked near 14 metres, eclipsing its 2021 levels. Evacuation orders were issued for low-lying communities, while SES volunteers, backed by Fire & Rescue, RFS, and Defence Force personnel, carried out dozens of rescues from stranded vehicles and submerged homes.

Maitland and Raymond Terrace is bracing for moderate flooding from the rising Lower Hunter River, as upstream floodwaters move through. Levee systems and rural roads are under strain, and significant damage has occurred to the region’s transport network. Roads across Cessnock and Singleton LGAs have become impassable, and major routes like the Pacific Highway at Tomago were partially closed due to flooding. Rail lines between Newcastle, Maitland and Fassifern have also been suspended due to waterlogged tracks.

The community is reeling not only from the physical impact but from mounting frustration over a controversial temporary rock wall at Hexham. Critics say the wall, part of the Hexham Straight Widening works, has worsened flooding by restricting river flow and pushing water into surrounding properties. Locals in Millers Forest and Duckenfield say their warnings were ignored, with social media flooded with complaints about government decisions and the perceived dismissal of on-the-ground knowledge.

Meanwhile, in the Mid North Coast, towns along the Manning, Macleay, Hastings and Nambucca Rivers have been inundated by relentless rainfall, in some areas up to 600 mm over three days. Taree broke its 1929 flood record as the Manning River surged to around 6.4 metres, prompting widespread evacuations. Wauchope and Port Macquarie also saw riverine flooding, while Kempsey faced another major event on the Macleay. Flash flooding, landslides, and road collapses have cut off communities as far inland as Dorrigo and Ebor.

Emergency services have performed more than 500 flood rescues across the state, with a third involving people trapped in cars after driving into floodwaters. Tragically, two people have died, and two others remain missing. In Taree, an elderly man was found deceased in his flooded home, while near Wauchope, a man in his 30s was swept off the Oxley Highway in his vehicle.

Premier Minns and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib have thanked the more than 2,500 personnel deployed to assist, including SES, police, fire, paramedics, and ADF units, stressing the importance of heeding evacuation orders. Minns offered a warning: “There are not 9,500 boats and helicopters available. If you stay behind, we may not be able to get to you in time.”

The Insurance Council of Australia has declared a Significant Event for the flood-affected regions of the Mid North Coast and Hunter, triggering the insurance industry’s early catastrophe protocols. This step allows insurers to begin collecting and analysing claims data, while liaising with government and emergency services to support impacted communities. The ICA has flagged that this may be escalated to a full Insurance Catastrophe if the scale of damage expands. Residents in areas like Taree, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour and parts of the Hunter are urged to prioritise safety and contact their insurers as soon as it is safe to begin the claims process.

Sixteen Local Government Areas, including Cessnock, Singleton, Dungog, and Maitland, have now been declared natural disaster zones, unlocking financial assistance for affected households, businesses and farmers. Grants for temporary accommodation, emergency repairs, and concessional loans are now available, while job protection orders have been signed for volunteers deployed during the crisis.

Despite the devastation, the region’s resilience is shining through. Neighbours in the Hunter Valley are ferrying supplies by tinny, while in the Mid North Coast, local heroes have used tractors and surf boats to reach those in need. Community halls are overflowing with donations, and volunteers continue to show up in force.

Though the rain has begun easing, authorities warn the flood threat remains high. With catchments saturated and rivers still rising, many communities face prolonged isolation and ongoing risks. Officials are urging residents to stay alert, avoid floodwaters, and prioritise safety above all else as the mammoth recovery effort looms.