Thursday,
14 November 2024
Macky Den honoured for flood bravery

Eugowra's Macky Den has been honoured for his bravery during the flood disaster that hit his community on November 14, 2022.

The NSW State Emergency Service has presented the now SES Eugowra Unit member with the Commissioner's Commendation for his actions to help others that day while NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib and Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for Emergency Management, were in Eugowra.

The Eugowra unit, volunteers and community members, were recognised at the NSW SES Canobolas Cluster Awards Ceremony, in Orange in August.

The NSW SES acknowledged their responses that day as heroic in the face of catastrophic flooding.

In the early hours of Monday, November 14, 2022, the towns of Eugowra, Molong, Cudal and Canowindra were heavily affected by widespread rain over a short period.

The catchment areas flowing into the Molong Creek, Belubula River and Mandagery Creek overflowed, causing flash flooding to the towns and surrounding areas.

In Eugowra, NSW SES and inter-agency personnel responded quickly, with 12 helicopters in action over a six-hour period and hundreds of flood rescues taking place.

More than 700 residents were evacuated, and 200 homes were severely impacted, with hundreds of flood rescues taking place. This event occurred during one of the largest ongoing flood operations in the history of the NSW SES.