PM to declare national emergency for our flooded region

ABOVE: Getting around in Coraki. Photo: Susanna Freymark

Finally, the NSW flood disaster will be declared a national emergency. Nine days after the first towns of Kyogle and Lismore were flooded.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to make the announcement today in Lismore. One of the sites he will visit is the Norco site in South Lismore.

The declaration is important as it will trigger more Commonwealth resources including extra help from defence.

The same declaration was made after the 2019 bushfires and it gives the Prime Minister powers to draw on all Commonwealth resources and stockpiled assets to respond to the deadly floods.

Mr Morrison and Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie are making the final decision on the declaration and are expected to announce it in Lismore this afternoon.

For many residents, the help and this declaration seems to have taken a long time with places like Coraki, Bungawalbin, Woodburn and Broadwater isolated in floodwaters for more than five days.