Tomorrow marks one year since the severe weather event that devastated communities across the Mid North Coast, leaving homes inundated, businesses destroyed, and thousands of residents cut off by floodwaters in what has been described as one of the region’s most significant natural disasters in living memory.
From Taree and Wingham to Port Macquarie and Camden Haven, communities faced record-breaking rainfall, rising rivers and widespread destruction as the May 2025 floods swept through the region.
Research conducted by Risk Frontiers and the Natural Hazards Research Australia found the event delivered extraordinary rainfall totals across the Mid North Coast, with some communities recording more than four times their average monthly rainfall during the flood period. Taree and Wingham each received more than 700 millimetres of rain, while floodwaters on the Manning River at Taree exceeded the 500-year Annual Recurrence Interval.
The scale of the event triggered hundreds of rescues, isolated tens of thousands of residents and caused widespread damage to homes, roads, farms and critical infrastructure across the region. Emergency services worked around the clock as evacuation centres opened and communities rallied to support one another.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts said the anniversary was an important moment for reflection, while acknowledging many residents were still recovering from the disaster’s impact.
“This month marks one year since the May severe weather event that had such a significant impact on the Mid North Coast region,” Cr Roberts said.
“It’s important to acknowledge the strength, resilience and compassion which was shown by our community in the days, weeks and months that followed.”
“I want to sincerely thank all those who stepped up when it mattered most. From supporting neighbours and clearing debris, to restoring essential services and helping our region recover, the response and recovery efforts demonstrated the very best of our community spirit.”
The floods exposed not only the vulnerability of many Mid North Coast communities to severe weather, but also the mounting challenges regional councils face in preparing for increasingly extreme climate events.
Risk Frontiers researchers noted the event highlighted the growing pressure on infrastructure and emergency response systems, while also raising ongoing concerns around insurance affordability and long-term disaster resilience. Previous flood research in the region found many residents either underinsured or uninsured due to the high cost of flood cover, leaving communities exposed to significant financial hardship following major weather events.
For many residents, the anniversary also brings difficult memories of evacuation orders, damaged homes and lengthy clean-up efforts that stretched on for months after the waters receded.
“Anniversaries like this can be difficult, and my thoughts remain with those who continue to experience the impacts and hardship caused by the event,” Cr Roberts said.
In the months following the floods, councils and governments turned their focus toward rebuilding and strengthening critical infrastructure, particularly around water security and resilience planning.
Cr Roberts highlighted the recent announcement of $7 million in NSW Government funding for the Cowarra Water Treatment Plant as a major milestone for the region’s future.
“This landmark project is vital to ensuring that we will have a reliable supply of filtered drinking water to support our region’s rapid growth,” he said.
“This project has been declared State Significant Infrastructure, welcome news for us as it recognises the importance of the Cowarra Water Treatment Plant to the future of our state and the long-term water security of Port Macquarie Hastings.”
The mayor also used the anniversary to renew calls for greater Federal support for regional councils, backing the Country Mayors Association’s “Invest in Us” campaign to increase Financial Assistance Grants for local government.
“As Mayor, I know firsthand the vital role local government plays in creating and maintaining sustainable communities,” Cr Roberts said.
“Councils are working extremely hard within their financial means to deliver the services and infrastructure people rely on, but the reality is it’s becoming increasingly difficult to sustain these services as costs rise and Federal funding continues to fall.”
Despite the devastation left behind by the floods, many across the Mid North Coast say the past year has also demonstrated the extraordinary resilience of regional communities.
Volunteers, emergency services, local businesses and community groups played a vital role during the response and recovery, with neighbours helping neighbours through some of the darkest days the region has faced.
As communities pause to mark the anniversary tomorrow, the memories of the flood remain raw for many – but so too does the spirit of resilience that carried the Mid North Coast through the disaster and into recovery.
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