NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has vowed to “rebuild” Eugowra after an angry Eugowra resident confronted him over the state’s emergency response to the flood disaster.
Perrottet is today touring the flood-ravaged city, where 80 percent of homes and businesses have been damaged.
Eugowra resident Peter Jones watched as his family and friends were rescued after being swept away by the “wall of water” that hit the town.
Angry Eugowra resident Peter Jones is taking on the NSW Premier over the state’s “lack of emergency response”. (new)
Jones confronted Perrottet about what he says was a lack of warning, a lack of emergency response and a lack of telecommunications available when the city was hit by floodwaters.
He said there was a long period when residents were unable to contact police and coordinate where help was needed.
“We had no food, no clothes, no one to tell them what was going to happen next because there was no one,” Jones told the prime minister.
“What is your response to some of them before you go on?
“That’s not good enough.”
Incredible aerial footage shows the extent of the Condobolin flooding
Perrottet responded by telling Jones, “Whatever we can do to make sure it’s fixed, we will.”
The Prime Minister is promising $75,000 in grants for farmers and money for councils to fix potholed local roads.
The town of 700 people has been completely wiped out, with the Prime Minister and his team today evaluating things like demountable cities, temporary locations and residences for people to live in.
Flooding in Condobolin. (new)
It comes as the New South Wales town of Condobolin faces its worst flooding on record as water flows down the Lachlan River from Forbes.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has issued evacuation orders for Bedgerabong, Darlington Point and Tilpa, as well as several “watch and act” warnings for towns in the central west.
Currently, there are 109 warnings statewide.
Emergency crews working to transport people by boat through flooded streets in Forbes. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
The receding floods in Forbes are beginning to reveal the extent of the massive cleanup effort the city is about to endure.
Developments move quickly and NSW residents can check the most up-to-date notices on the SES website here