NSW SES

Are you prepared to play safely in the Alpine region this snow season?

Operation Snow Safe is underway, and reminds skiers, snowboarders and visitors to the Snowy Mountain region to prioritise safety on and off the slopes.

Last snow season was the busiest on record for NSW SES specialist NSW SES Alpine Search and Rescue Unit volunteers, who were kept busy with an average of two rescue tasks each week from June to October, responding in darkness, blizzards and poor weather conditions.

This week, NSW SES members joined NSW Police Force, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Winter Olympic Medallist Josie Baff to launch operation Snow Safe 2026.

Our members continue to stand ready to support Snowy Monaro Police District with calls for assistance this snow season, however we urge people heading to the slopes to be prepared:

❄️ Check the weather forecast so you’re not caught off guard by dangerous weather conditions. Conditions in the mountains can change quickly.

📲 Download the Hazards Near Me App for real-time warnings and updates in your area.

🗻 Carry chains for your tyres and use them where required during slippery road conditions.

⛷️ If you plan on venturing into remote areas, hire a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) so rescuers find you quickly in an emergency.

👉Learn more about our Alpine Search and Rescue Unit: https://ow.ly/KyAM50Syr0K

Make the most of this one NSW - it’s our last long weekend until October 😭

Helping you to do just that, the weather is forecast to remain dry and stable all the way through to Monday! Hooray! 🎉

It’s the perfect opportunity to get ahead on your storm prep - trim overhanging branches, clean your gutters and prepare your home emergency kit.

⚠️ Roads will be busier with double demerits in play, so ensure you drive to the conditions.

🚗 Planning a trip? Check Live Traffic NSW for traffic and road updates or your local council’s website to avoid delays or disruptions.

📲 Stay safe and prepared by downloading the Hazards Near Me app or checking the NSW SES website for the latest warnings.

Enjoy, rug up and stay safe!

⭐COMMUNITY OPEN DAY⭐

Rising from the ashes of the Black Summer bushfires, the NSW State Emergency Service Batemans Bay Unit is back with a vengeance, opening the doors of its new home to the community this weekend.

Locals are invited to attend a family friendly Open Day on Saturday 6 June from 10am to 2pm at the new Emergency Services Precinct, 3 Sawmill Road Surf Beach, home to both the NSW SES Batemans Bay Unit and NSW Rural Fire Service Surf Beach Brigade.

NSW SES Batemans Bay Unit Commander Kevin Shepherd said the Unit was excited to finally welcome the community into its new home.

“The Open Day will be a fantastic chance for families to meet their local volunteers, have a look around and learn more about staying safe in emergencies.”

The event will give the community a rare behind the scenes look inside the new $5.9 million purpose-built facility. 👉Continue reading https://ow.ly/6jOv50Z7QY8

A Severe Weather Warning for DAMAGING WINDS has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology 🍃

Residents in parts of the Illawarra and parts of Mid North Coast, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, Northern Tablelands and Hunter Forecast Districts should monitor conditions and follow safety advice.

Damaging winds are continuing about the Southern and Central Tablelands and Southern Highlands, extending to the northern ranges and the Illawarra coast this evening.

Winds are expected to ease about the Southern and Central Tablelands and Illawarra early Friday morning, and the remainder of the warning area by late Friday morning.

📲 Download Hazards Near Me or visit the NSW SES website to stay up to date with warnings and information, especially as the weather moves through and may affect other areas.

Stay safe and prepared:
🔸 Move your car under cover or away from trees and powerlines if safe to do so.
🔸 Tie down loose items in your yard.
🔸 Stay indoors away from windows and keep children and pets indoors as well.
🔸 Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.

📞 If you require assistance in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000).

Issued at 10:59 am EST on Thursday 4 June 2026

1,200 rescue operators trained in Large Animal Rescue Operations through the NSW SES! 🙌🐴

This milestone marks the incredible growth of our Large Animal Rescue Operations (LARO) capability, which began in 2011 with just 24 members attending the first Large Animal Rescue Workshop. The first formal LARO course was delivered in 2014.

15 years on, LARO training is now delivered across all NSW SES zones and to our partner agencies, significantly strengthening our ability to respond to incidents involving large animals.

Whether a large animal falls in a septic tank, is trapped in a well, stranded in a river, or caught in another difficult situation, our trained operators have the skills and confidence to carry out rescues safely and effectively, helping protect both the animals and people involved.

A special thank you to David King for his tireless dedication and leadership in driving this project from its beginnings to where it is today 🐄🧡

🎵 Baby, now that I've found you, I can't let you go 🎵

Here’s The Deal 🏒
It’s the Hannah to our Garrett…
The JLo to our Maverick…

The Hazards Near Me app is always there when we need it during severe weather 💙

⛸️ Don’t go skating on thin ice when it comes to preparing U and your home. Prepare briar to a storm’s arrival.

Download the app to monitor warnings so things can only go in one direction - up!

Update at 10:56am 2/06: Damaging Winds warning has been updated to include Mid North Coast, Illawarra, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Tablelands and Hunter Forecast District.

The temperature has dropped, and puffer jackets are officially back taking over the streets of NSW!

If you haven’t already, it’s time to dust off your winter woolies as there’s a chilly week of weather ahead. Here’s what we’re expecting:

From Tuesday morning to Wednesday DAMAGING WINDS is forecast in parts of the South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and South West Slopes Forecast Districts. 🍃

West of the Divide is forecast to have GUSTY THUNDERSTORMS, whilst HEAVY RAINFALL is likely across the Southern/Western Slopes leading into Wednesday.

From Thursday morning stay vigilant of FROST and potential BLACK ICE in part of the ranges/western slopes.

❗Beware the dangers of black ice when driving or walking on hard surfaces. Reduce your speed and exercise caution.

If you're heading out into alpine areas, ensure you're prepared:
🔶 Always check the weather and plan ahead
🔶 Carry a personal locator beacon and tell someone your plans
🔶 Complete a National Park trip intentions form and bring the right gear

🛑 With heavy rainfall forecast in some area, remember to steer clear of floodwaters. If you come across a flooded road, turn around and find an alternative route.

Stay safe and prepared:
🔶 Move your car under cover or away from trees and powerlines if safe to do so.
🔶 Tie down loose items in your yard.
🔶 Trim any over heading branches and clear your gutters

📞If you require assistance, call us on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000)

Northern Zone held their Disaster Rescue Challenge over the weekend where 6 units came together to compete for a spot in the state final in July.

Held in Maitland, the two-day event was an incredible weekend of high pressure scenario-based challenges where teams were tested on entrapment rescues, storm response skills, mass casualty management, casualty extrication and leadership under pressure.

Volunteers also had the opportunity to strengthen communication, coordination and decision-making skills in demanding and fast-moving environments.

A huge well done to all the teams on their efforts over the weekend 👏
Congratulations to NSW SES Port Macquarie Unit, who will go on to represent their zone at the State final.

NSW SES has responded to more than 500 incidents as widespread rainfall and thunderstorms impact northern and eastern parts of the state. 🌧️

Flood rescue operators, along with partner emergency service personnel, have completed seven flood rescues across the Central Coast and Mid North Coast. The majority have involved cars that became trapped in floodwater as flash flooding inundated roads quickly.

🚘❗Steer clear of floodwater. If you come across a flooded road, turn around and find an alternative route.

Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue for parts of the Hunter, Mid North Coast and adjacent districts this afternoon, before easing later today.

📲 Stay across the latest warnings and advice by downloading the Hazards Near Me app and setting up a watch zone for your local area.

☎️ If you need assistance during storms or floods, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).