A freight train carrying dangerous goods has derailed and people have been rescued from floodwaters and roofs after heavy rain caused flash flooding on the NSW mid-north coast.
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Fire and Rescue NSW is on the scene near Morrows Road, Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour after the area was hit by thunderstorms overnight leading to the derailment just after 2.15am on Thursday.
Multiple wagons of freight train, which was travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne, derailed after encountering a track washout.
Half of the 1500m train derailed, with one of the locomotives in a paddock and the two other locomotives upright.
One of the locomotives leaked up to 8000 litres of diesel and 16 carriages jack-knifed, four of which are now stuck in floodwaters.
Flooding is hindering progress for emergency services and the clean-up could take days.
The Bureau of Meteorology said moderate to heavy rainfall associated with thunderstorms has been recorded across the Orara River catchment in the Coffs Harbour region, affecting the towns of Glenreagh and Coutts Crossing.
The northern rivers region was also beset by heavy rainfall, with Boyles Bridge recording 309mm in the 24 hours to 9am.
Meanwhile, residents in the town of Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour had to evacuate to their roofs when flood waters swept through roads and homes.
Coffs Harbour State Emergency Service deputy unit commander Martin Wells said several people had to be rescued.
"It's really disappointing that drivers continue to head through these flood waters when it's clearly impassable," he told radio 2GB on Thursday.
"It's putting theirs and their family's lives at risk and of course our teams that are heading out to rescue them from those situations."
All up, the SES had to perform 17 rescues in the state overnight.
There was moderate flooding at Glenreagh on the Orara River, with the river reaching 8.2 metres and nearing its peak on Thursday afternoon.
There's likely to be moderate flooding at Coutts Crossing on Thursday evening as well.
Thunderstorms will remain active in the state's northeast on Thursday, the BOM says.
The SES said people should refrain from driving or walking through floodwater, stay out of rising water and seek refuge in the highest available place.
A severe thunderstorm warning for the Illawarra and surrounds was called off on Thursday afternoon.
Australian Associated Press
