The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Penrith Unit has been busy supporting and working with our local community in the recent storm and flood emergencies. Volunteers responded to more than 300 calls for assistance across the Penrith local government area, in addition to supporting other SES units.

“With requests completed, we are currently working on Rapid Impact Assessments with our partner agencies – NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, and the Defence Force – supporting the collection of information about damage to properties and infrastructure that will help inform ongoing response and recovery planning” said Ian Hyde, NSW State Emergency Service – Penrith Unit, Deputy Unit Commander.

“We saw storm damage across Leonay, Emu Plains and Emu Heights at the beginning of the event with several trees damaging property and the usual leaking roofs. The flooding event followed directly on from us preparing for it with the distribution of sandbags provided by Penrith City Council and the Rapid Relief Team. The first flood peak left Penrith LGA relatively unscathed. The second peak, however, saw flooding more widely spread from Londonderry in the North to Wallacia in the South. Our teams responded to both storm damage and flood emergency requests for assistance. Flash flooding once again occurred in Hobart and Melbourne Streets in St Marys requiring some evacuation” Ian continued.

Floodwaters have gone down and there are no longer any evacuation warnings or order for our area. Residents are advised to return with caution to flood affected areas. As residents clean up and recover, NSW SES advises everyone to monitor local conditions and remain alert, drive slowly, obey roadblocks, and never drive through floodwaters. To assist community members and councils with this recovery process, the NSW SES has a comprehensive 16-page guide which can assist with the recovery efforts following flooding: www.ses.nsw.gov.au/next-steps-toward-recovery.