La Nina: Bureau of Meteorology says drenching rains likely in November and December
As if this year could not get any worse, now some of the most vulnerable suburbs in Sydney are at risk of flooding, with a La Nina weather event on the way. It spells bad news for many new housing estates.
NSW
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The high likelihood of drenching rains in coming months from a La Nina weather phenomena could trigger flooding in some of Sydney’s most vulnerable suburbs, including among new housing estates in the flood-prone north-west.
The five wettest years on record in Australia have all occurred during periods of La Nina, which brings 20 per cent more rain than usual — and virtually all major floods have occurred during La Nina conditions.
La Nina’s last visit to Australia resulted in the deadly 2011 Queensland floods which claimed 33 lives.
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The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says the chance of the wetter-than-usual weather pattern is now 70 per cent.
And it’s the Hawkesbury Nepean region, with a booming population of new housing developments and 134,000 people living and working in the middle of a floodplain, that’s causing concern.
BOM climatologist Zhi-Weng Chua said the bureau monitored the emerging La Nina pattern daily, and if it does unfold it would likely peak in November and December.
“In the months leading up to it, you would see above average rainfall,” he said.
But with Warragamba Dam now full, authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation.
The operators of the dam, WaterNSW, say the huge dam was not built for flood mitigation, but rather, Sydney’s water security, so it would breach their operating objectives to release water on the chance of a “future rain event”. But they do add they are “working closely with the BOM and the State Emergency Service to prepare for any potential flooding risks”.
Originally published as La Nina: Bureau of Meteorology says drenching rains likely in November and December