Key Takeaways:
- The State Emergency Service (SES) responded to over 2,300 incidents and performed 25 flood rescues over the weekend as wild weather hit New South Wales.
- Sydney’s official weather station recorded 127 millimeters of rain, its wettest January day in 38 years.
- The heavy rainfall and flooding caused evacuations, landslides, and widespread damage to properties.
- The SES and authorities are urging people to monitor conditions, avoid travel, and use the Hazards Near Me app to stay safe.
- Flood warnings are in place along the eastern seaboard, and the weather is expected to continue affecting the region over the next 24 hours.
Introduction to the Wild Weather
The State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to more than 2,300 incidents and performed 25 flood rescues over the weekend as wild weather hit New South Wales. The heavy rainfall and flooding caused widespread damage to properties, evacuations, and landslides. Sydney’s official weather station at Observatory Hill recorded 127 millimeters of rain, its wettest January day in 38 years. Other areas, such as Katoomba and Terrey Hills, also experienced record-breaking rainfall, with 220mm and 180mm, respectively.
Evacuations and Flood Rescues
The SES issued an evacuation warning late last night for the Narrabeen Lagoon and surrounds, including the Big4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, due to rapidly rising floodwaters. More than 60 people were forced to leave, but the warning was downgraded just before 9am, with residents being told they could return with caution. A caravan park in the Northern Beaches was also evacuated overnight, with residents returning with caution today. The SES spokesperson, Andrew Edmunds, said, "The water there has peaked and it is slowly receding, but the good news is it’s no longer rising."
Impact on Communities
The heavy rainfall and flooding had a significant impact on communities, with many properties experiencing storm damage, including fallen trees, damaged roof tops, and water coming through skylights, ceilings, and doors. In the Northern Beaches, which received nearly 260mm of rain, a local resident reported that the water had reached the top of the second step on their outdoor patio. A landslide at Great Mackerel Beach, which received 264mm of rain, impacted three homes, and the creek overflowed its banks, causing water damage to many houses.
SES Response and Warning
SES Assistant Commissioner Sonya Oyston said the east coast had been experiencing "extremely wild weather" and the service had responded to more than 1,400 incidents within 24 hours. She warned that the weather would continue to affect the region, with the main areas of concern being around the Illawarra, Sydney, and Hunters areas, where flash flooding and storm-related incidents were occurring. The SES and authorities are urging people to monitor conditions, avoid travel, and use the Hazards Near Me app to stay safe.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said warnings were focused on metropolitan Sydney, Western Sydney, and the Blue Mountains, where a band of "very heavy rainfall" continues. He warned that isolated falls of up to 60 to 80 millimeters within an hour could cause flash flooding, and the weather would slowly ease to moderate rainfall in the afternoon. Other areas of focus included the Central Coast and far-southern Hunter, where parts of the Central Coast, including Yarramalong and Dooralong, were cut off by floodwater.
Power Outages and Isolated Areas
Ausgrid spokesperson said workers are restoring power to some homes after high winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding brought down powerlines and damaged infrastructure. Around 2,400 Ausgrid customers are still without power, with the hardest-hit areas across the Central Coast. The Central Coast Mariners’ match against Macarthur FC was cancelled due to the waterlogged field, but the stadium has confirmed that the game, along with the scheduled women’s match, would go ahead after a pitch inspection.
Message for Drivers and Holiday-Makers
SES Assistant Commissioner Sonya Oyston said volunteers had been busy responding to calls for help, including flood rescues. She warned that people should avoid travel, especially if they are not familiar with the roads, and urged people to keep safe, stay inside if possible, and avoid entering floodwaters. The SES and authorities are urging people on holiday to monitor conditions and use the Hazards Near Me app to stay safe.