Cessnock Woman Missing After NSW Floodwaters Sweep

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Emergency services are continuing a search for a woman swept away by floodwaters on Saturday evening in Rothbury, located 16 kilometres north of Cessnock, New South Wales.

At around 7:50pm on 2 August 2025, emergency crews responded to reports that a vehicle had become stuck in rising waters at Black Creek, near Old North Road. When officers from the Hunter Valley Police District arrived at the scene, they learned that a Mini Countryman had tried to drive through floodwater but became immobilised.

Two women inside the vehicle attempted to escape. One of them, believed to be in her 20s, was swept away in the current. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, escaped unharmed.

During the rescue operation, NSW State Emergency Service (SES) crews discovered an unrelated man aged 40 clinging to a tree nearby. He had also been caught in the flood and was trying to stay above the waterline.

Attempts were made to reach the man, but the force of the water carried him downstream. SES crews pursued him and successfully pulled him to safety at a nearby location. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene before transporting him to hospital for further medical evaluation.

The multi-agency search for the missing woman was suspended overnight and resumed Sunday morning, 3 August, with assistance from the NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW.

Old North Road remains closed due to the flooding. Authorities have urged motorists and residents to avoid flood-affected areas and refrain from driving through submerged roads.

The NSW SES continues to warn the public about the dangers of floodwaters, especially during heavy rain periods. “If it’s flooded, forget it” remains a core safety message echoed by emergency services across the state.

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