NRMA urges drivers to stay off roads during significant weather event

The NRMA is urging drivers to stay at home and avoid any non-essential travel with driving conditions across the state both difficult and dangerous due to flooding, blackouts, fallen trees and debris and fallen electricity lines.

Currently in Sydney, the NRMA is attending to calls for roadside assistance within the hour, however wait times are expected to increase as the serious weather continues to batter the east coast.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said road closures and flooding had made it even harder for NRMA patrols to reach stranded drivers.

“The NRMA wants to reassure our Members and the community that we are taking every possible measure to get to stranded drivers as quickly as possible – however our task has been made harder due to the difficult conditions on our roads,” Mr Khoury said.

“With more heavy rain expected throughout the day the NRMA is encouraging the public to stay at home where possible, as conditions on the roads continue to worsen.

“The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of flash flooding throughout Sydney and many other regional areas. Please do not under any circumstances drive through floodwaters. They are extremely dangerous and it just is not worth the risk.

“We also want to urge drivers to avoid driving through puddles and over potholes – this is causing a significant increase in calls for flat tyres and flooded engines.

“If you do have to call the NRMA, please be patient and if you feel like you are in a dangerous situation, call 000 immediately.”

Roadside assistance and towing continues to be significantly affected across the North Coast with patrols currently landlocked and in many instances unable to get to calls for assistance due to road closures. The NRMA has also lost several assets like vans and trucks on the North Coast.

The NRMA is currently mobilising patrols and vehicles from across the state to support the hardest hit areas.