This was published 4 years ago

Major flooding hits the NSW South Coast as wet weather turns deadly

9News Staff

December 10, 2021 - 6.17am

A woman has died after being swept away in raging floodwaters in New South Wales.

The woman was with a man inside a car when they became trapped in floodwaters in Tuross in the Snowy Monaro Region about 2.20am today.

Police said she was swept away after getting out of her car, sparking a search joined by the State Emergency Service (SES).

New South Wales Police have found the body of a woman today after reports she was swept away by flood waters in the state's Snowy Monaro Region. — The woman's body was recovered early this morning. Google Maps

The man was found a short distance from the car and did not need medical treatment.

The woman's body was found downstream just after 7.15am today.

She is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be a 37-year-old woman.

It comes as flooding has also hit parts of Queensland, leaving two women dead.

NSW South Coast hit by major flooding

Major flooding has hit Mogo on the NSW South Coast with the town's centre completely submerged today.

Floodwaters show no sign of subsiding.

"Pretty hectic, and it doesn't look like it's going to ease off," a Mogo resident said.

Flooding hits suburbs on the NSW South Coast. — The town centre of Mogo has been inundated. 9News

Animals at the Mogo Zoo headed for higher ground as floodwaters continued to rise.

"The rhinos for instance love all of this mud being around. even though there's probably a little bit too much at the moment," Mogo zookeeper Chad Staples said.

It comes only two years after bushfires tore through the town which devastated residents, some of who are still in temporary accommodation.

Other towns on the South Coast have been lashed by torrential rain leading to the current flood situation.

A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall is currently in place for the region.

"An incredible 122 millimetres of rain fell in just three hours in the ranges just west of Moruya, with 170.8 millimetres in the six hours to 5am," Anthony Sharwood from Weatherzone said.

"153.6 millimetres was recorded in the six hours to 8am a couple of hours further north at Lake Conjola, with 104 millimetres falling in three hours."

Moderate to major flooding is expected to occur tonight at the Moruya and Deua Rivers.

In Bega, 103 millimetres fell to 9am this morning which is the heaviest rain for December in seven years.

A woman was rescued from floodwaters by NSW SES in Bega about 8am, after the deluge caused rising waters.

The NSW SES has reminded people not to enter floodwaters.

NSW SES had to rescue the woman from floodwaters in Bega. NSW SES

Sydney storm causes serious damage

Sydney has also been hit by heavy rain and hail this morning.

Cars and homes were lashed by the sudden downpour and battered by the hailstones.

"The storms soon moved across the city, combining with a southerly change and lingering showers to send the mercury plummeting in all suburbs," Mr Sharwood said.