In short: 

Balranald MPS Emergency Department is closed indefinitely after a severe storm struck Monday night around 10pm, with all emergency cases now diverted to Swan Hill

The GP clinic and aged care facility continue operating normally, though the main entrance is closed and visitors should use the GP clinic entrance

No staff or residents were injured in the storm, and emergency services including SES, Fire Brigade, and NSW Ambulance responded to secure the site

A severe storm that tore through Balranald late Monday night has left the town's emergency department non-operational, forcing locals requiring urgent medical care to travel more than 100 kilometres to Swan Hill for treatment.

The Balranald Multi-Purpose Service suffered significant damage when the storm hit around 10pm Monday evening, though health authorities have confirmed no residents or staff were injured during the incident.

The Emergency Department remains closed as engineers and maintenance crews work to assess the full extent of the damage and make the building safe. There's currently no timeline for when emergency services will resume at the facility.

For Balranald residents, this means anyone experiencing a medical emergency will need to travel to Swan Hill District Health for treatment. Health authorities are urging people to call Triple 000 in the event of an emergency.

The closure presents particular challenges for the rural community, where distances to alternative health services are significant. Swan Hill, located across the Victorian border, now serves as the nearest emergency department for Balranald and surrounding areas.

However, not all services at the MPS have been affected. The facility's aged care section continues to operate without disruption, and the GP clinic is maintaining normal services for routine and non-emergency medical care.

The main entrance to Balranald MPS has been closed as a safety precaution while damage assessments continue. Anyone needing to access the GP clinic or aged care facility should use the GP clinic entrance and follow on-site signage.

Health authorities are asking the public to avoid visiting the MPS unless necessary while crews work to secure the site and conduct thorough safety inspections.

For those with non-urgent health concerns, Healthdirect Australia offers 24-hour telephone health advice on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess the situation and direct callers to appropriate care.

The storm response saw multiple emergency services mobilised, including the SES, Fire Brigade, NSW Ambulance, and Police, who worked through the night to make the site secure. Swan Hill District Health has also been acknowledged for their assistance in managing the diverted emergency presentations.

As damage assessments continue, the Balranald community faces an uncertain wait to learn when full services will resume at their local health facility. For now, residents are being reminded to call Triple 000 for emergencies and to seek advice from Healthdirect for non-urgent health matters.