Australian Rail Track Corporation crews started inspections of the Newcastle port-linked Hunter Valley coal network yesterday despite difficult conditions.

“High rainfall, severe flooding, strong winds, fallen trees and debris, power failures and fallen power lines continue to affect the Hunter Valley network, particularly between Maitland and the port,” ARTC said.

“A number of track locations are under water and full assessment will not be able to be made until water levels recede.”

While the coal rail network is down, Hunter Valley mines are also impacted by the flooding of haul roads and of access roads in and out of Singleton which is preventing employees from even getting to work.

Flash flooding particularly hit the upper Hunter town of Dungog – fatally washing away three people in the early hours of Tuesday morning with the full circumstances not yet known.