By Hope NewsroomMonday 22 Mar 2021NewsReading Time: 2 minutes
Today’s headlines from the Hope News team. You can listen to hourly bulletin updates at hopenews.com.au.
Hundreds of residents have been forced to flee their homes in Sydney’s west, and thousands more are on standby as flood waters rise.
Residents along the Hawkesbury river are on high alert, as flooding reaches levels not seen for 60 years.
Warnings are in place for Windsor CBD, south Windsor, McGraths Hills and Wilberforce with residents told to be prepared to evacuate.
Residents in parts of Marsden Park, Riverstone, Schofields and Quakers Hill have also be warned to be ready to leave.
The Nepean River peaked above 10 metres overnight after forcing evacuations in western parts of Jamisontown and Penrith and the northern end of Mulgoa Creek.
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More than 200 schools are closed across the state due to the flood risk.
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The State Emergency Service responded to 150 flood rescues overnight.
The Defence Force is on standby to help the SES.
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Disaster relief payments have also been activated by the Federal Government.
People living in Penrith are among those eligible for payments of $1000 for adults and $400 for children.
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The Prime Minister says he won’t oppose a motion calling for a royal commission into veteran and defence suicide.
The lower house will vote on the motion today.
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The next phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout begins today, with six million Australians eligible for the injection.
About 1000 GP clinics have been given doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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New Zealand’s Prime Minister says her government is finalising plans for a two-way travel bubble with Australia.
Jacinda Ardern says they are negotiating on a state-by-state basis.
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And, The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing support to an Australian couple under house arrest in Myanmar.
They were stopped from boarding a flight late last week.
Featured images: North Richmond NSW / Michelle De Rooy