VOLUNTEERS from Kiama and Shellharbour State Emergency Services units were helicoptered to the flood- affected Bega Valley from Kiama on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kiama Anna Habeck and Shellharbour's Brayden McPaul left Kiama about 9.30am on Sunday to join SES colleagues on the Far South Coast
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted flooding would reach 4.6 metres at the Bega North gauge at midday today, which was expected to cause minor flooding and leave low-lying areas cut off.
Earlier on Sunday four people had to be rescued from a flooded river after being caught out by rising flood waters while on a canoeing trip.
Men, aged 49 and 56, and their 10-year-old daughters, from the ACT, were canoeing on the Deua River on Saturday when the river began to rise after storms in the area.
The group activated their Personal Locator Beacon (PBL) about 2am on Sunday and a search was initiated.
About 7am a group of volunteer searchers found the group on a riverbank. The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene and winched the group to safety. No one was injured.
Far South Coast Duty Officer, Inspector Peter Volf said police were pleased by the group's use of their PBL but reminded people to check conditions before venturing out.
“We recommend anyone embarking on a trip – be it bushwalking, canoeing, canyoning or similar – to take one of these Personal Locator Beacons with them,” Far South Coast Duty Officer, Inspector Peter Volf, said.
“Today’s event is proof they assist in rescue efforts in what can be high-risk scenarios.''
Kiama SES deputy controller John Wall said the unsettled weather of the past week was difficult to predict and was keeping South Coast units busy.
"It is quite unusual for this early in the summer to have had this many events,'' Mr Wall said. "But the moisture levels are building and building and it is self-generating because of the moisture around.
"The other thing about yesterday was that there was a cold front coming through and you get these super cells forming.''
Mr Wall said the high levels of rain falling in upper catchments over the past week or so was also coming into play.
The Canadian connection
The SES crews were flown from the Kiama helipad at Kiama Harbour to Bega by British Columbia native Sean Fudger.
Mr Fudger is in Australia for three weeks with Canadian company Wildcat Helicopters, contracted by the Rural Fire Service to help during our bushfire season.
During summer Mr Fudger helps during the Canandian wildfire season and during the Canadian winter flies skiiers to peaks of up to 10m,000 feet.
Mr Fugder was here during the 2012 fire season and helped with fires in the Forster and mid North Coast area.