The Hunter Valley, New South Wales floods occurred as a result of heavy rainfall, with more than 250 mm recorded between Nevertire and Dunedoo. The damage was widespread across the Hunter Valley, with more than 40,000 people evacuated from more than 40 towns. Fifteen thousand residents were evacuated from the Singleton and Maitland regions, 5200 homes were flooded and 58 homes were destroyed or washed away.
The Castlereagh River reached a record height, while at Gilgrandra, one third of the buildings were damaged and a hole torn in the main street was later found to contain two large semi-trailers.
The Namoi and Gwydir Valleys were devastated and Narrabri was completely isolated. Water up to 3 m deep covered some streets and approximately 1000 homes sustained water damage.
24 deaths were recorded as a result of the flood.
New South Wales Government, Ministry for Police and Emergency Services,’1955 February Hunter Valley floods’,18 September 2007, website viewed 2 March 2011
http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/content.php/629.html