By Mike CrooksFriday 7 Jun 2024NewsReading Time: 3 minutes
Regions in Sydney and across NSW have been put on flood alert, and dozens of people needed rescuing, after heavy rainfall overnight.
Key points
- The BOM warned on Friday morning that heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding.
- Sydney’s Warragamba Dam has begun spilling, according to the Herald.
- Premier Chris Minns warned motorists to stay clear of flood waters.
Flood watch warnings have been issued from the Nepean-Hawkesbury region, to Sydney’s Penrith and Picton, and the Illawarra and South Coast Regions.
“Even though the rain is forecast to ease later on today, any further wet weather in the next few hours and for the rest of the day will be falling onto saturated land… adding to or extending potential flooding impacts,” Bureau of Meterology (BOM) senior meteorologist Angus Hines told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Heavy rainfall
The BOM warned on Friday morning that heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding “for southern parts of the Illawarra, parts of the South Coast, during this morning,” the warning read.
“Scattered six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 and 60 mm are likely with isolated totals around 100 mm possible.”
The BOM reported that moderate rainfall totals of up to 147 mm were observed across the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley since 5AM this morning.
“Further heavy rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Friday,” the BOM warning read.
Sydney warnings
The bureau warned of minor flooding at Camden Weir and at Wallacia Weir, with flooding likely at Penrith around midday Friday.
The BOM warned on Friday morning that heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) had warned residents in Picton to prepare for possible evacuation as flood waters continue to rise.
“There have already been flash flooding impacts with closed roads and inundated homes, and this could continue or even expand with the further rainfall, particularly through the morning hours,” Mr Hines said.
Dam spilling
Meanwhile, Sydney’s Warragamba Dam has begun spilling, according to the Herald.
After persistent rainfall over the last 24 hours, water began spilling at around 4.20AM this morning.
Nearby residents in the south-western Sydney area have been put on alert.
SES’s busy night
The SES was kept busy throughout the night with 447 storm-related incidents in the last 24 hours.
Sydney’s Warragamba Dam has begun spilling, according to the Herald.
The incidents occurred in the Illawarra and South Coast area, Sydney, and in the Hunter-Central Coast area.
“We’ve had some really consistent heavy rainfall in various locations,” an SES spokesperson told the Nine Network’s Today.
“Don’t drive”
In a statement from Jindabyne this morning, Premier Chris Minns warned motorists to stay clear of flood waters.
“The most important message we can send is don’t drive through flood waters,” he said.
To look up hazards in your area, download the Hazards Near Me NSW app.
“We’ve had to put out watch and acts for the low-lying areas of Picton, with prepare to evacuate warnings for the Wollondilly and Shoalhaven rivers due to those high levels of rainfall overnight,” the SES spokesperson told Today.
Premier Chris Minns warned motorists to stay clear of flood waters.
In good news, the rain is set to ease this afternoon in Sydney.
BOM’s flood advice
In life-threatening emergencies, call 000. If you require rescue, or for assistance to evacuate ring NSW SES on 132 500.
In a warning, the BOM advised:
- To avoid drowning, stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
- Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
- Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
- Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.
For more information visit here.
Article supplied by Michael Crooks. Michael is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine, QantasLink Spirit, Who and The New Daily. When not reporting and writing he is trying to keep up with his two young kids.
Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro