Editor's note: photos from the region available here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/WI4H5MNS6s
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has worked with a local church to keep Community Hubs open and provide easy access to services for residents in the Hunter and surrounds impacted by severe storms.
The Raymond Terrace Community Church will have NSW SES members, Ausgrid, the Red Cross, Orange Sky Laundry, Port Stephens Council and Centrelink representatives on Monday to assist locals impacted by storm damage.
NSW SES Zone Commander, Chief Superintendent Andrew Cribb said anyone needing advice or something to eat should drop into the community hub.
“We will assist anyone in need with food and access to services while the ongoing impacts of the storm and power outages continue across the Hunter and Port Stephens area,” Chief Superintendent Cribb said.
“I thank the Raymond Terrace Community Church for opening their doors and providing a safe space for locals to come together and get access to services and information.”
Another hub has been stood up at the Noel Unicomb Community Hall in Woodbury, which has NSW SES representatives on hand to answer questions and assist people with recording damage and jobs if they haven’t already.
Rapid Damage Impact Assessments will continue throughout the Hunter and Port Stephens region today, with almost 1000 properties to be assessed.
Chief Superintendent Cribb said NSW SES community liaison officers also continued to visit impacted communities to connect with those who couldn’t attend Community Hubs.
“We’ve distributed newsletters with information about disaster relief and what people can do to start clearing their properties and disposing of spoiled food,” he said.
More than 2,600 jobs have been received by the NSW SES in the Port Stephens, Hunter, Mid North Coast and Central Coast region since the severe weather. Less than 150 of these remain outstanding.
Community Hub information (Monday, 20 January):
Raymond Terrace Community Church, 10 Richardson Rd, Raymond Terrace
Open 10am-6pm
Orange Sky Laundry: 3pm – 5pm
Ausgrid: 10am – 12pm
Noel Unicomb Community Hall, 44 Kookaburra Parade Woodberry
Open 12-2pm and 5-7pm
Salvation Army providing hot meals
Ausgrid attending from 12 - 5pm
Media enquiries: NSW SES Media on 1800 067 234