Quotes
It is a challenge that we need to deal with and be conscious of, and we certainly are. And that’s why we’re engaged directly not just with the Insurance Council … but also individual insurance companies,
he said
It’s no longer just a case that we have a workforce over the summer holiday period when we usually have these events,
he saidIf you are under evacuation warnings, please be patient, do not return home until you’re informed it is safe to do so, stay up to date with the latest information, and stay in safe locations,
he saidEmotions were high as we were rescuing a lot of people who are distraught when we get to them,
rescue worker Jason Harvey told AFP on Friday, describing "frantic" efforts over recent days
People feel they're isolated, so that's where the whole community spirit is so pivotal,
she said
What once were rare downpours are now becoming the new normal – climate change is rewriting Australia’s weather patterns, one flood at a time,
said Davide Faranda, a climate researcher at ClimaMeter, in comments carried by the Reuters news agency
Without the volunteers, we would have had hundreds of deaths and we’re in deep, deep gratitude to those people who volunteered their time,
Minns added
It’s an amazing, heroic logistical effort where, in very difficult circumstances, many volunteers put themselves in harm’s way to rescue a complete stranger. And over the coming days and weeks, we will hear scores of stories of locals being plucked out of impossible, desperate situations,
Minns told reporters in Maitland in the flood areaSo many businesses have had water through and it's going to be a massive cleanup,
said Kinne Ring, mayor of the flood-stricken farming town of Kempsey
A real focus for us at the moment will be resupplying the isolated communities,
he said,We’ve woken up to blue skies which is a great thing,
Allan told Australian Broadcasting Corp
Our rivers are slowly receding and I think we’re probably transitioning from the response phase into the recovery phase this morning,
he added
If your home or premise has been inundated, floodwaters have contaminants. There can be vermin, snakes ... So you need to assess those risks. Electricity can also pose a danger as well,
state Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston told reporters
It's pretty horrific, the conditions ... this is a really serious situation,
Albanese told radio station Triple M Newcastle
I must also say that we're bracing for more bad news in the next 24 hours. This natural disaster has been terrible for this community,
New South Wales (NSW) State Premier Chris Minns told reporters on Thursday
We aren't over the worst of it yet,
McBain saidThe Australian Defence Force will be made available. There's going to be a big recovery effort required,
he told local radioI don't think there is a question that climate change is having a significant impact on weather events right across the world,
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain told reportersIt can be disorientating. Often it’s the case that we will never know whether they accidentally drove into the floodwaters,
Thurtell said
A major focus now will be continuing to support those isolated residents, who may be stuck for several days until floodwater recedes,
said SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone