Central Coast residents were rescued by helicopter on Wednesday, July 6, as severe flooding gripped parts of New South Wales.

This footage was published by the New South Wales Police Force and shows residents being winched to safety from flood waters. Police said major flooding was still a threat for many communities, particularly those along Wollombi Brook and the Lower Hunter River.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said the Wollombi Brook peaked at 14.20 metres early Wednesday with major flooding, but had receded 10.98 metres on Thursday. Meanwhile, major flooding was occurring at Singleton, along the Lower Hunter River.

Sky News Australia reported 60,000 people had been told to evacuate due to the severe flooding. “It’s going to be days and into the weekend and possibly next week before we start to see river levels drop to a safe level in those areas,” a representative of New South Wales State Emergency Service said. Credit: NSW Police Force via Storyful