Terrifying photo shows why you should NEVER try and drive through floodwaters after days of wild rain lashed the east coast
- NSW south coast hammered with wild weather and flash floods over weekend
- Parts of a bridge near Canberra fell into the creek below as a result of heavy rain
- The bridge provided the only way in and out for residents leaving many trapped
- The SES shared a photo of the damaged bridge and urged residents not to drive
A harrowing photo of a collapsed bridge has been shared as an urgent warning to drivers to never attempt to tackle floodwaters.
New South Wales’ south coast was hammered with wild weather and flash floods over the weekend sparked by a 300mm downpour of rain.
The Neringla Road crossing in Braidwood near Canberra was drenched with heavy rainfall on Sunday, causing huge pieces to fall into the Araluen Creek below.
The bridge provided the only way in and out for locals, leaving many residents trapped.
The Neringla Road crossing in Braidwood near Canberra (pictured) was battered with a heavy downpour on Sunday, causing huge pieces to fall into the Araluen Creek below
Council mayor Tim Overall said the 115mm of rain that hit Braidwood was causing headaches for residents.
‘We’ve got staff heading out (to the bridge) on Monday to do work and restore access temporarily until we can do more substantial work,’ Mr Overall said, The Canberra Times reported.
‘It’s an ever-changing situation. There’s a number of areas where the water is too high so we’re advising people not to cross flooded crossings because you just don’t know what’s underneath that water.’
It’s expected to be several days before residents can access the bridge, with those living in areas up to 12km south unable to leave.
‘This is the exact reason why you should never drive through flood waters – no matter what depth,’ the SES said.
‘Please remember – if it’s flooded – forget it. Never drive, ride, walk or play in flood waters.’
The stark warning comes after a weekend of extreme weather conditions with the SES responding to 1,600 calls on Friday alone – including 40 flood water rescues.
Cars were caught in rising waters in Canberra on Sunday (pictured). The SES told residents the surging flood waters should not be considered a ‘tourist attraction’
Ovals and drains were also submerged in water from the extreme weather conditions in Berry on Saturday (pictured)
Cars were struggling to make it through flood waters on Sunday following torrential rain (pictured in the NSW south coast)
Three evacuation orders were issued late on Sunday night for the south coast covering nearly a dozen large towns, including Moruya, Nowra and Sussex Inlet.
On Sunday afternoon the body of a missing kayaker was pulled from Murrumbidgee River, south of Canberra, highlighting the dangers of getting caught out during the deluge.
The man was reported missing about 2pm after he was separated from his kayaking group amid rising river levels, torrential rain and increasingly difficult conditions. His kayak reportedly got caught under a bridge.
Other roads in the south coast were left submerged in water and damaged with fallen trees and rubble as the weather subsided.
Rescue crews saving two horses amid rising flood levels in Canberra, as a kayaker’s body is pulled from a stream (pictured, on Sunday)