Storm Support Insufficient, Leaving Many Residents in the Lurch
Residents and businesses in NSW are struggling for disaster relief after severe storms left thousands without power and support
NSW, Storms, Disaster Relief, Power Outages, Emergency Services
Sydney: After some wild storms hit, many families and businesses in New South Wales are feeling the pinch. Local MPs are saying that the disaster relief just isn’t cutting it. Thousands were left without power, and it’s been a tough time for everyone.
Emergency crews worked overnight to get around 35,000 people back on the grid. Those storms really did a number on the area, knocking down trees and power lines all over the place.
The SES was super busy, getting over 7,500 calls in just four days. A lot of those were from the Sydney area, which saw about 4,100 calls. It’s been a hectic time for them.
In a quirky twist, the Port Stephens crew even had to rescue some pet goats stuck under a fallen tree and a trampoline! Thankfully, they were okay, and the team worked hard to free them. Gotta love those SES volunteers!
Meanwhile, a natural disaster was declared for the hardest-hit areas like Maitland and Port Stephens, which means some financial help is on the way. But folks in places like Mid-Coast and Cowra are scratching their heads, wondering why they’re not included.
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell mentioned that many in his area have been in the dark for days, with food going bad in their fridges. He’s pushing for more support so people can get back on their feet.
Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr is also on it, saying there’s no reason why Wagga shouldn’t get help too. He’s planning to follow up next week to make sure it happens.
Even with all the chaos, the SES has been doing a fantastic job keeping everyone safe. But it’s frustrating to see some people getting help while others are left out in the cold.
Both the Australian and NSW governments are working to speed up support, but it’s clear that more needs to be done. A spokeswoman for the NSW Emergency Services Minister said they’re collaborating with councils to assess the damage and figure out what’s next.
Sadly, the storms have also caused some tragic incidents, including a man who lost his life when a tree fell on his car. Others were injured when a large tree hit pedestrians in Sydney’s CBD.
And if that wasn’t enough, strong winds have been shifting sand all over Bondi Beach, making a mess of the promenade and car park. Plus, there’s a cyclone brewing off the coast of Western Australia, which is causing some serious disruptions to iron ore exports.
It’s been a wild ride, and everyone is hoping for some relief soon.