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Editors note: Press conference, OLAY and drone vision is available here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/2eGqacmdn4

Specialist NSW State Emergency Service (SES) teams have continued to carry out damage assessments and assist in the cleanup after a severe storm caused extensive damage at Carinda, near Walgett in Western NSW.

More than 40 NSW SES storm and height experts have been working alongside local volunteers and Fire and Rescue NSW crews to inspect and secure a number of damaged properties.

A strike team of members from Broken Hill, Maitland and Tamworth, as well as Sydney Metro SES units have provided additional support following Sunday night’s severe storm.

NSW SES incident controller, Chief Superintendent Brigid Rice said the teams had now completed all assessments.

“There has been considerable impact to nine homes and four commercial buildings, which are either destroyed or uninhabitable,” Chief Superintendent Rice said.

“The focus today was making those properties safe by removing hazardous materials and securing lost roofing.

“Crews on scene have been working through roof damage, debris and fallen trees. Asbestos was also a concern given the age of some of the buildings.

“Today’s favourable weather conditions have allowed our teams to make good progress on the assessments and clean up, but there is still a lot of roof debris and iron, which will take several days to remove."

Chief Superintendent Rice said despite the damage in the area, the community morale had been high.

“We held a community meeting this morning, and spirits are pretty good, the residents are all supporting each other through the cleanup and were grateful for the SES and emergency partner’s assistance.

“The NSW SES will be undertaking further welfare checks with community members in outlying areas as well.”

The NSW SES has also been working with Essential Energy, and the Walgett Shire Emergency Operations Centre, to ensure essential services are restored as soon as possible. In the meantime, some services have been maintained using generators.

The NSW SES has also assisted in resupplying residents with essential items, including water.

If anyone in Carinda needs NSW SES assistance, they should call 132 500.