Warragamba dam reaches capacity amid severe storm warning for Sydney - 9News

Intense rain has led Warragamba Dam to reach capacity and spill over as a severe weather event sparked evacuation orders and flood warnings across parts of Sydney.

NSW Water said the dam began spilling around 5.45am this morning and will likely spill for the next two weeks.

SES Commissioner Carlene York said at this stage authorities anticipate the dam spill will only impact surrounding low-lying areas.

"We have been out with the community, letting them know what is coming and ensuring they prepare," she told reporters today.

To see the latest BoM weather warnings click here.

Intense rain has led Warragamba Dam to reach capacity and spill over. (Nine)

"We don't think those waters are affecting a significant amount of people in those areas but certainly rural farmland, stock and families and businesses...need to be aware of the next couple of days as the water will continue to flow down at a high level in those river systems."

The dam was initially predicted to reach capacity on Monday.

But a deluge overnight brought over 150 and 190mm of rain to Sydney and the Illawarra.

This morning, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the NSW South Coast, Central NSW and Greater Sydney region.

Affected areas include parts of Sydney, Wollongong, Bowral, Port Kembla, Albion Park and Kiama with storms set to bring intense rainfall that may lead to life-threatening flash flooding.

Thousands of residents are preparing to evacuate across parts of Sydney as intense rain continues to lash to the east coast. (Weatherzone)

"A strong and very moist onshore airflow is combining with trough moving southwards through the Metropolitan and Illawarra districts to produce clusters of heavy showers and a few thunderstorms," the Bureau said in an update this morning.

BoM Meteorologist Steven Bernasconi said while conditions are set to ease by Monday rising river levels remained a threat.

He said within the coming days major flood warnings were expected at Hawkesbury River at North Richmond and Windsor and Colo River at Upper Colo.

"This situation is easing, it is moving south out to the Tasman sea, the current focus is on the south coast and the southern tablelands, as the rain is still impacting them at the moment," he said.

"Sunday and Monday we will see a much more easing and settled trend."

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the NSW South Coast, Central NSW and Greater Sydney region. (Nine)

Overnight Greater Sydney was pounded by intense rain, with Penrith recording up to 167 millimetres, and Terrey Hills and Canterbury copping more than 150mm since 9am yesterday.

In the Illawarra, Albion Park was smashed by 190mm while Bellambi, just north of Wollongong recorded up to 194mm.

The State Emergency Services received more than 2000 calls for help with torrential rain causing fallen trees and sparking road closures.

There were 152 flood rescues performed across the state, including 72 in the metropolitan areas.

The deluge has sent inflows to the Hawkesbury River, prompting the State Emergency Services to issue an evacuation order for several low-lying communities.

Residents in Lower Portland and Pitt Town Bottoms have been told to evacuate by 8am as the Hawkesbury River is set to reach the minor flood level of 4.6 metres this morning.

Communities in Penrith and north Richmond are preparing to evacuate are also preparing to evacuate more intense rain is expected to fall throughout the day.

Sydney's Northern Beaches inundated as lagoon bursts its banks

"The Bureau of Meteorology advises The Nepean River at Penrith is likely to exceed the minor flood level (3.90 m) early Saturday morning," the SES said.

"The river level may reach around 6.70 metres Saturday morning, with minor flooding."

Energy provider Ausgrid is working to restore power to 17,000 homes.

Forty thousand homes were left without power due to rain and flash flooding, but electricity has been restored to more than half of them.

Torrential rain brought down trees in south-west Sydney. (Nine)

The hardest hit areas overnight were northern Sydney and the Central Coast but there have been outages widely across the network.

Flooding has sparked road closures are in place across Sydney and the Illawarra with major highways shut down.

Affected roads include Wakehurst Parkway, the Princes Highway at Engadine, Wisemans Ferry Road at Cattai, Bexley Road at North Bexley as well as the Illawarra Highway at Albion Park at Macquarie Pass.

The Newell Highway, in northern NSW, remains closed in both directions between Moree and Boggabilla.

Some bus services have been terminated due to localised flooding with local diversions in place.

Buses have replaced ferries between Parramatta and Rydalmere due to the weir overflowing.

Warnings for Queenslanders

North of the border, Queenslanders are being urged to avoid any unnecessary travel today with possible severe storms and flash flooding forecast for areas south of Brisbane.

Intense, localised falls between 50 and 100mm are set to lash Logan, the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim following 24 hours of heavy rain.

The deluge has caused catchments to swell with authorities warning levels are set to rise, sparking possible flood warnings, as the wet weather continues. 

"If you don't need to be on the roadways during this period, please reconsider your travel with the current weather conditions," said deputy police commissioner Shane Chelepy.

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2024-04-05 23:59:02Z
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