Dramatic Rescue: 37 Nursing Home Residents Saved from NSW Floods

Taree Flood Rescue: Dozens of Elderly Residents Saved in Multi-Agency Operation Heavy rainfall and rising floodwaters inundated the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions of New South Wales, Australia, on May 21, 2025, leading to widespread evacuations. Among those affected were 37 residents of a nursing home in Taree, who faced imminent danger from the rapidly rising waters. "It was a race against time," said a spokesperson for the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), one of the agencies involved in the rescue. "The water was rising quickly, and we had to act fast to get those residents to safety." Footage from the scene shows emergency personnel, including VRA and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, working together to evacuate the residents using inflatable rescue boats. The operation, which took place between 2:30 am and 5:30 am, successfully brought all 37 residents to safety. The video captures the urgency and collaborative effort, showcasing the dedication of emergency services personnel in the face of challenging conditions. The successful rescue operation serves as a testament to the preparedness and effectiveness of emergency services in NSW. The swift response and collaborative efforts prevented a potentially tragic outcome, ensuring the safety of vulnerable residents during a critical time.