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SES gets 1,337 calls for storm help in NSW

The New South Wales State Emergency Service has responded to 1,337 calls for help, including 65 flood rescues, in the last 24 hours as heavy rain lashed much of the coast yesterday.

The weather affected 21 schools in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, including six declared non-operational in Wollongong.

The greater Sydney area received more than 437 calls for help, with storm and flash flood-related incidents in parts of Sydney, the northern baches, Central Coast and the Hunter.

Further south in the Illawarra and south coast, 378 incidents included flood rescues from vehicles and people stuck in buildings, and landslides with one landslide along Lawrence Hargrave Drive stranding a bus. SES said all occupants of the bus were safe.

In the state’s west, a storm led to more than 239 incidents at Dubbo, including leaking roofs, water damage and a few flood rescues.

NSW SES State Duty Commander Colin Malone said SES volunteers and emergency partners would be out in the field again today.

We will continue to respond and assist communities and work through the impacts of this rain.

We’re asking people to check conditions before travelling. If you come across a flooded road, please do not take the risk, find an alternative route.

The SES say unsettled weather conditions are likely to continue, with the traditional storm season far from over.