TODAY is Wear Orange Wednesday – or WOW Day – and it comes as SES volunteers and emergency services arrive en masse to flood- and rain-impacted areas along eastern New South Wales.

WOW Day is a time to show appreciation for the NSW SES volunteers who support communities during storms, floods and other emergencies.

In the 24 hours to around midday yesterday, the NSW SES received more than 2000 calls for assistance, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds impacting the Hunter, Mid-North Coast, North-West Slopes and Plains, and Northern Tablelands.

Significant flooding is occurring in the Mid-North Coast region, and the NSW SES urges the community to monitor conditions, know their risk and leave early if required.

Rainfall totals in excess of 140mm are likely, with higher isolated rainfall totals closer to 200mm possible in some areas.

This will cause flash flooding and further riverine flooding on coastal catchments.

NSW SES assistant commissioner, Dean Storey, said floods move quickly, and so should people in the areas with flood warnings and severe weather.

“We ask those in the high-risk areas not to wait until it’s too late – know what you will do if you do need to leave, and follow the advice of emergency services,” Mr Storey said.

“Now is the time to start preparing your emergency kit and putting your essential documents together so you can leave quickly if required.”

Members of the public are today encouraged to wear something orange to acknowledge SES volunteers’ efforts and show that their work doesn’t go unnoticed (Image: NSW SES).

Flash flooding remains a significant risk.

“We’ve already undertaken a number of flood rescues, many involving vehicles that became stuck in floodwaters,” Mr Storey said.

“We’re glad these people have all been brought to safety, but these incidents act as a timely reminder never to drive, walk or play in floodwaters. If it’s flooded, forget it.”

NSW SES crews have been door-knocking in high-risk areas and evacuation centres are open at Dungog RSL, Club Gloucester, Club Taree, Manning Point Bowling Club and Wingham RSL.

Mr Storey said NSW SES remains well-prepared to respond to this multi-day weather event.

“We have additional flood rescue teams, aviation assets and volunteers positioned to respond to any requests for assistance.”

On Tuesday, NSW Police Force activated the ‘Register Find Reunite’ capability to assist in the registration of those who have been displaced by the floods in affected areas.

Police encourage those within the impacted flood areas to register their movements using the Australian Red Cross’ ‘Register, Find, Reunite’ service, as emergency services continue to respond to several calls for assistance.

The Register, Find, Reunite website is a national system managed and operated by Australian Red Cross.

Go to https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/about-register-find-reunite/

It is a service which registers, finds and reunites family, friends and loved ones after an Emergency.

It allows people to register to let people know they are safe; find people who may be affected by an emergency and know they are safe; and reunite through a matching process which enables police – with consent – to share details of family and friends with each other.

Should anyone have any concerns over the whereabouts of a person due to flood activity, please contact police directly to make an official report.

Sandbagging at Port Macquarie on Tuesday (Image: NSW SES).

The Bureau of Meteorology advises a coastal trough is positioned about the central mid-north coast, and is forecast to track slowly northwards to around Coffs Harbour before continuing towards Grafton on Wednesday.

Heavy, locally intense rainfall is expected to persist with heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms on the southern side of the trough into Wednesday.

Intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threating flash-flooding, is also possible during Wednesday morning for elevated inland parts of the mid-north coast district.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 140 mm are possible and 24-hourly rainfall totals between 150 and 200 mm are possible

WOW Day is an opportunity for people across NSW and Australia to say a simple but meaningful “thank-you” to the volunteers who give their time to help others during challenging times.

This year, WOW Day takes place during National Volunteer Week – a week recognising the contribution of volunteers from all walks of life.

It’s a great moment to highlight the important work undertaken by the SES and the commitment of its members.

Members of the public are today encouraged to wear something orange to acknowledge SES volunteers’ efforts and show that their work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Flood Safety Advice:

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500;

Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place;

Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood;

Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains; or

Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.

For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:

NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au

RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com

Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/northwest.shtml

Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW

IF IT’S FLOODED, FORGET IT!