Fire and Rescue NSW crews rescuing stranded residents of Molong - Molong
Published: 14 Nov 2022 09:29am
The Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew in the Central West town of Molong has helped rescue trapped residents, stranded in roof-high floodwaters overnight.
The Molong team of firefighters rushed into action around midnight, assisting the State Emergency Service and other agencies, door-knocking homes under threat and evacuating residents.
The fire crew established an evacuation centre at the town’s RSL club and set up a makeshift helicopter landing strip, with flashing guidance lights, on the oval of the Molong Central School, helping to vector in an Australian Defence Force chopper, tasked with rescuing locals from roof tops.
They also rescued two people and their dog from knee-deep water inside a house in Watson Street and another couple from the top floor of the ‘old motel.
The firefighters and a police officer, from nearby Manildra, then waded through chest-high water to reach another woman, stranded in her Watson Street home.
The crew helped to establish roadblocks overnight to prevent heavy vehicles passing through the floodwaters and causing further damage.
The force of the floodwaters smashed shop windows and knocked out the back wall of a local supermarket.
At least two large shipping containers were carried by floodwaters through the centre of the township.
The firefighters now report the floodwaters are receding as they begin clean-up operations to clear a large amount of mud and debris from Molong’s streets.
(ENDS)
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:13pm
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
100-104 Edward Street, Molong NSW 2866
79 Summer Street, Orange NSW 2800
17 Ryall Street, Canowindra NSW 2804