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More wet weather on the horizon
By Laura Chung
Many had hoped the end of the La Niña would also bring an end to the endless wet weather. But climate models suggest the rain currently drenching Sydney will continue throughout the winter and possibly into next summer.
Residents watch the water rise in Camden, Sydney.Credit:Dean Sewell
Weatherzone’s senior meteorologist Brett Dutschke said east coast lows become more common as autumn comes to a close and the cooler months prevail. This is largely driven by warmer surface ocean temperatures off the coast mixing with the cooler air temperatures, creating more moisture and instability in the atmosphere, and bringing heavy rain to the state.
Last week, the Bureau announced that although the 2021-22 La Niña event had ended, there is a 50-50 chance it may re-emerge in spring.
Read more from Laura Chung on what’s driving the spike in wild weather.
Flood warning updates for the Nepean, Hawkesbury and Colo Rivers
Here’s a summary of the Bureau’s latest update on the major flood warnings for the Nepean, Hawkesbury and Colo Rivers:
- Upper Nepean River: Major flooding is occurring at Menangle and Wallacia, while Camden is experiencing moderate flooding. The Nepean River at Wallacia Weir may reach around 13 metres Sunday evening.
- Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean River: Major flooding at North Richmond, moderate flooding is occurring at Penrith and Windsor, and Sackville is getting some minor flooding. The Nepean River at Penrith is currently at 9.21 metres and peaking.
- Colo River: The Colo River at Putty Road may exceed the minor flood level (2.70 metres) Sunday evening, and may reach the moderate flood level (5.70 metres) Sunday night.
Thousands of homes could be affected
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said there are hundreds if not thousands of homes that may be subject to evacuation warnings and potential flooding in the next few days.
“We ask that those communities really be aware of the messaging that we’re putting out,” she said.
“There are thousands of people that are affected by what we’re looking at tonight.”
She said more than 1800 requests for assistance had been made to the SES, not including any calls to triple zero.
83 flood rescues in the last 24 hours
Cooke also said she is concerned by the high number of flood rescues over the course of Sunday.
She said emergency services had responded to 83 flood rescues in the past 24 hours.
“It unfortunately shows that people aren’t necessarily heeding the advice that we continue to put out multiple times a day in relation to this flooding event,” she said.
“I’m respectfully asking people to avoid non-essential travel at this time.”
Cooke said the region is currently facing a number of dangers including riverine flooding, flash flooding, coastal erosion and landslips.
“Don’t put your life at risk or the lives of your loved ones at risk and the lives at risk of our emergency services volunteers who are turning out in force,” she said.
“It was a long night last night. It’s been a very long day today, and tonight will be another long night for our emergency services workers and our volunteers.”
‘Do not assume you will be safe tonight’
Emergency services minister Steph Cooke has warned residents of the Hawkesbury and Nepean Valley to be ready to leave at short notice.
She said the Warragamba dam is spilling at a rate greater than during the floods in March and April.
“This combination of heavy rainfall and the overflows out of Warragamba Dam is causing the river to rise quickly, and we are likely to see significant flooding,” Cooke said.
“If your community has flooded in the past, please don’t necessarily wait for an evacuation order.
“If you were safe in 2021, do not assume you will be safe tonight. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we could very well see areas impacted that have never experienced flooding before.”
Emergency services provide flood update
Emergency services provided a weather and flood update at the State Emergency Operations Centre from 5.30pm.
Emergency services minister Steph Cooke, NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York and the Bureau of Meteorology’s Jane Golding spoke.
You can watch the press conference on the stream below.
Kayaker dies after capsizing in Parramatta River
A man has died after his kayak capsized in the Parramatta River as wild conditions continue to lash Sydney’s waterways.
Emergency services were called to the Parramatta River off Abbotsford Parade, Abbotsford, on Sunday afternoon after a boat was spotted capsized and a man seen struggling in the water.
A member of the public attempted to assist the man and attempts were made to revive him. He died at the scene.
Police are yet to identify the man and will prepare a report for the Coroner.
More rain forecast for Monday
The rain doesn’t look like easing anytime soon.
The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its forecast for the rest of the week, with heavy rains set to continue into Monday. Thunderstorms, damaging winds and rainfall up to 100 mm are forecast for Sydney, while Penrith could receive between 100 and 150 mm on Monday alone.
Heavy rainfall in Sydney, Ashfield.Credit:Edwina Pickles
Wild surf conditions are expected to continue, making coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing particularly hazardous.
Stay safe out there.
Where to go if you have been told to evacuate
The SES is advising evacuated residents to stay with family, friends or at accommodation outside the flood-affected areas. If you are unable to do so, evacuation centres have been set up at six locations across NSW:
- Cabra-Vale Diggers Club - 1 Bartley Street, Canley Vale NSW.
- Narellan Child Family and Community Centre - Queen Street, Narellan NSW.
- Gymea Tradies - 57 Manchester Road Gymea NSW.
- Richmond Club - 6 East Market Street Richmond NSW.
- North Richmond Community Centre - 33 William Street North Richmond NSW.
- Castle Hill RSL Club - 77 Castle Street, Castle Hill 2154
River levels could surpass those reached earlier in the year, Bureau says
River levels in some parts of Sydney could exceed those experienced during extensive flooding in the last two years, with further rainfall forecast for Sunday night.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Hawkesbury region and says the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond may reach around 15 metres late Sunday evening.
The height of the river at North Richmond was 13.10 metres at 3pm on Sunday and rising. Further rainfall forecast in the evening could tip levels over the 14.38 metre peak recorded in March 2021 and the 14.09 metre peak recorded in March this year.
The record height stretches all the way back to June 1867, when the gauge at North Richmond Bridge recorded a peak heigh of 20.14 metres.
The Nepean River at Menangle has already exceeded the flood height reached in the March floods of this year (15.92 metres), with the Sunday morning peak of 16.61 metres only slightly below the April flood height (16.83 metres).
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2022-07-03 08:44:22Z
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