In recent days, torrential rainfall has affected large parts of Australia, particularly regions in New South Wales (NSW) and along the Mid North Coast. In some areas, up to 500 mm of rain fell within 24 hours, leading to severe flooding [1,2]. As a result of the floods, several thousand people were evacuated, and many others had to seek refuge on rooftops. The Mid North Coast region, especially the small towns of Taree in the Hunter Valley wine region and Port Macquarie, is particularly affected [3,4,9]. Emergency services are operating around the clock, while authorities are issuing new evacuation orders for flood-affected areas almost hourly via various media [1].
So far, at least four lives have been lost due to the flooding, and several individuals remain missing [9]. Thousands of households in the affected regions are without electricity [3]. The scale of destruction is significant, with damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure [4,5]. Large areas of arable and pasture land have been flooded, already resulting in livestock losses. The full extent of the economic impact on affected municipalities is not yet foreseeable [2,3,6].
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) had issued warnings ahead of the extreme rainfall, enabling evacuations and the implementation of emergency measures [3]. On 16 May 2025, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) issued an initial “Flood Watch” warning for the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. This warning predicted sustained heavy rainfall and potentially dangerous flooding due to a slow-moving low-pressure system. At that time, local rainfall amounts of up to 100 mm within six hours were forecasted [7].
Since then, warnings have been continuously updated and escalated. Over 100 schools had already closed by 20 May [5]. As of 22 May 2025, a total of 149 warnings had been issued, including 37 “Emergency Warnings” urging the population to evacuate or move to higher ground [8]. In the hardest-hit areas, more than 4,600 emergency calls were registered and over 600 rescue operations conducted [b]. According to NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, 2,500 emergency personnel, including 2,200 SES members, are currently deployed. Fifteen evacuation centres are open [2].
Rainfall in the affected areas is now beginning to ease as the weather system moves toward the south coast and out to sea – nonetheless, NSW SES continues to urge the population to remain alert, heed local warnings, and strictly follow evacuation instructions [10].
Status as of: 23 May 2025, 08:30 CEST
[1] Tagesschau (2025): Heftige Überschwemmungen in Australien. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/ozeanien/australien-fluten-100.html
[2] The Guardian (2025): NSW Floods – Thousands Stranded in Mid North Coast with More Heavy Rain to Come. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/22/nsw-floods-thousands-stranded-in-mid-north-coast-with-more-heavy-rain-to-come
[3] DW (2025): Überschwemmungen in Australien – Menschen fliehen auf Dächer. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.dw.com/de/%C3%BCberschwemmungen-in-australien-menschen-fliehen-auf-d%C3%A4cher/a-72620486
[4] Spiegel (2025): Australien – Mindestens drei Tote bei Hochwasser in der Region Mid North Coast. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/australien-mindestens-drei-tote-bei-hochwasser-in-der-region-mid-north-coast-a-0b430873-2981-4dd4-9eb7-c6e4e395c28f
[5] Reuters (2025): Torrential Rain Ravages Australian Towns – Thousands Brace for Isolation. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/torrential-rain-ravages-australian-towns-thousands-brace-isolation-2025-05-22/
[6] BBC (2025): Floods Ravage Australia – Thousands Brace for Isolation. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c861gqdd8x0o
[7] NSW State Emergency Service (2025): Flood Watch issued, with heavy rain, damaging winds expected in the Hunter and Mid North Coast. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/news/flood-watch-issued-heavy-rain-damaging-winds-expected-hunter-and-mid-north-coast
[8] NSW State Emergency Service (2025): Flood threat not over as rainfall continues and NSW SES responds to rescues. Retrieved 22/05/2025 under: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/news/flood-threat-not-over-rainfall-continues-and-nsw-ses-responds-rescues
[9] Zeit Online (2025): Vier Tote bei massiven Überschwemmungen in Australien. Retrieved 23/05/2025 under: https://www.zeit.de/news/2025-05/23/schon-vier-tote-durch-hochwasser-in-australien
[10] NSW State Emergency Service (2025): Resupply continues for flood affected residents. Retrieved 23/05/2025 under: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/news/resupply-continues-flood-affected-residents
(Image Source: State of New South Wales (NSW State Emergency Service) 2024)