Kempsey has a long history of flooding. The recent launch of the revitalisation of the flood marker in the mall is a great reminder to the Kempsey community of the significant flood risk that Kempsey lives with and the devastating impacts they can have including property damage and loss of life.
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Over the past 60 years, a number of levees have been built to provide some defence against the water. In fact there is more than 1.5 kilometres of levees made up of the Eden St levee, the Cochrane St levee and the RSL levee.
However while these levees provide some protection, they are not flood proof.
“No levee is flood proof,“ NSW SES Mid North Coast Regional Controller Tony Day said.
“The complex interaction between the Macleay River, the levees and the topography of the Kempsey CBD means that those who live behind the levees or own a business need to be levee savvy.”
The NSW SES in partnership with Kempsey Shire Council is inviting community members to a conversation over breakfast to talk about options for action if the levees fail or overtop.
“Knowing your risk and being prepared means knowing exactly what to do if there is a flood. Having a plan helps limit the stress that comes with having to make quick decisions under pressure,” Mr Day said.
The breakfast is on Wednesday August 8, 6.45am to 8.30am at the Kempsey Macleay RSL Club.
For further information or to RSVP please contact Maria Frazer on 0458 737-188.
