“It is important if we give you an evacuation warning to ensure that you have all your essentials and important documentation and are able to leave your premises in a safe way. It is also important if we put out evacuation orders that you actually leave your premises,” she said.
Residents in parts of Camden were told to evacuate by 9pm on Monday as floodwaters continued to rise. Other Camden residents had been given until midnight to leave their homes.
Major flooding continued to occur along the Hawkesbury River downstream of Windsor on Monday.Credit:Nick Moir
People in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region were told to brace themselves for flooding potentially higher than last year’s disastrous floods.
Meanwhile, those in Picton’s CBD, parts of Emu Plains and Mulgoa were told to prepare to evacuate. The SES has urged residents in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region not to return home if they have been evacuated.
The bureau has issued a severe weather warning for people in the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and parts of Mid North Coast, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts, saying there would be damaging winds and heavy rainfall.
“Heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, is forecast for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, and parts of the Central Tablelands districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 to 120 mm are possible,” the warning says.
“Heavy rainfall will persist throughout the warning area this evening and into Tuesday, with the peak of the rainfall most likely about the Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast districts.“
Sydney, Liverpool and Terrey Hills could be hit with 50 to 80 millimetres of rain on Tuesday, while Campbelltown could get 60 to 90mm and Richmond could get 70 to 120mm. Newcastle could have 25 to 40mm of rain and the Blue Mountains National Park could have 80 to 120mm.
The rainfall may result in “rapid river level rises and very deep and dangerous flooding”, the bureau warned.
The Nepean River at Menangle Bridge was expected to surpass 16 metres about 3am on Tuesday, well above the major level of 12.2 metres. The Nepean is expected to surpass moderate level at Camden Weir and Wallacia Weir overnight.
Major flooding was also occurring along the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond on Monday night, and major flooding is expected at Penrith and Windsor and downstream. The Colo River at Putty Road had exceeded the “major” flood level and was continuing to rise.
The relentless rain caused a landslide in the Blue Mountains on Monday that closed the train line.
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Flood-affected areas along the Northern Rivers region and Far North Coast are likely to get thunderstorms in coming days, rather than huge downpours. Commissioner York added there were ongoing operations to ensure the resupply of food and water to communities in need.
Sydney’s Berkshire Park resident Cassie Gill has been pumping water from under her house for five days and said she’s never seen flooding this bad before.
“Every time we get a downpour it gets worse and worse, but after this next one we should be OK,” she said. “There’s too much water for it to go into the ground.”
While Ms Gill’s house has escaped the worst of the flooding, the family’s downstairs office has been flooded. “There is nowhere for the water to go,” she said.
In the 24 hours to 2pm on Monday, the SES had received more than 1290 calls for help and performed 25 flood rescues, with about 35,000 people still out of their homes.
By the time the clouds are predicted to lift by the end of this week, Sydney will have experienced ongoing rain for more than a fortnight.
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East coast low set to return with some residents in Sydney’s south-west ordered to evacuate
Source: Philippines Alive
