Severe storms, flash flooding expected on Friday and Saturday across much of NSW

More rainfall is predicted to hit NSW in one day than in the entire month of October. See when and where we will feel the effects.

Warnings of severe storms and flash flooding are in place across much of the state this weekend as a low pressure system wreaks havoc along the east coast.

A humid air mass over NSW will bring at least 35mm rain on Friday and 50mm on Saturday – comparatively ‘very heavy’ against October’s total 55.2mm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted Sydney, the Hunter, Illawarra, and inland areas are set for the soaking, easing on Sunday with possible showers.

Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne said Friday’s severe thunderstorms would threaten eastern NSW down to Victoria and as far as the ACT.

“During the afternoon commute things could get pretty nasty,” she said.

She said Saturday would be a “washout” with widespread rain on the radar and flood warnings for inland river catchments.

It follows an intense Thursday evening where the State Emergency Service responded to 123 callouts as storms swept through Sydney, the Hunter, and Illawarra regions.

SES spokesman Andrew Edmunds urged people to stay away from rivers and creeks.

“Avoid camping near water and under trees. We may see creeks and rivers rise very quickly,” he said.

“We may see additional riverine and flash flooding in a number of areas, so make sure you download the Hazards Near Me app and stay up to date with the latest warnings and information.”

Around 24 businesses were without power on Friday morning following two blackouts that caused significant disruption in Sydney’s CBD.

SES crews responded to 123 incidents in Sydney and its surrounds overnight. Picture: SES

On Thursday evening, peak-hour traffic descended into chaos as police directed vehicles through gridlocked streets.

Power restoration efforts are underway, with customers near Town Hall Station expected to have electricity restored within hours.

Another wet and stormy day for much of #NewSouthWales today. Heavy falls a risk with storms for #Sydney, as well as the Hunter, Illawarra, and inland areas.
Flash flooding and storm damage is a risk through today, keep an eye out for warnings.
Details: https://t.co/fUca2H0YENpic.twitter.com/vyNMwgiRZF

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) November 28, 2024

After a hot and humid start to Thursday, almost 2000 homes remain without power in Sydney’s southwest and a major road remains completely shut after dozens of trees fell when by a severe storm ripped through the area on Thursday afternoon.

At 9pm, 1844 homes in Appin and surrounds remained without power after the cell brought down countless branches onto Appin Rd when it hit the area about 4pm, severing power to parts of the community.

The road has since reopened in both directions, while power was also out in the suburbs of Douglas Park, Menangle, Wilton and Wedderburn, according to Endeavour Energy spokesman Peter Payne.

Earlier this evening, powerful storms swept through the Appin area, bringing down trees and causing damage to several homes. Crews are in the area assisting residents with the cleanup.
More storms are expected tonight and tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/wgoWrw8rxD

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 28, 2024

“There are main power lines down on Appin Rd, and that’s the priority currently for our patrols, who will physically drive through the area looking for faults - that’s currently underway,” Mr Payne said.
“Restoration is expected to be complete in the next hour, and repairs will go into tonight to safely restore power to as many customers as we can.”

Trees felled on Appin Rd, Appin.

A tree in Appin snapped in half by the storm. Picture: NSW SES

On Friday morning, power had been restored to most areas in Sydney’s southwest, with 25 active outages affecting 720 customers.

Hundreds of homes and multiple businesses in Appin, 10 minutes south of Campbelltown, were affected, with childcare staff at Bright Sparks Early Learning forced to power up the barbecue to feed their students while parents either tried waiting out the closure or drove more than an hour on detours via Douglas Park or Helensburgh to collect their kids.

“Everybody is still at the facility at the moment because none of the parents can get through and the staff can’t leave,” centre director Lauren Eade said.

“There are 60 kids at the moment whose parents can’t get to them.”

While hopeful power would return in the coming hours, Ms Eade was resigned to what could be a long night ahead.

“We have food available and look it looks likely we’ll provide dinner, so I’m hoping it doesn’t turn into a sleepover,” she said.

The NSW suburb of Appin where a freak storm hit. Picture: NSW SES

NSW SES spokesman Andrew Edmunds said Appin had the most reports of storm damage in the state on Thursday, with over 20 properties damaged by fallen trees, damaged roofs and uprooted fences.

“Crews from the local area as well as Campbelltown are working with the Rural Fire Service on the clean-up, and that is expected to take several hours,” he said.

“There have also been reports of power lines down in the area.”

Nearby Wedderbern recorded 56mm of rainfall in just 30 minutes earlier in the day.

Later on Thursday, Penrith and parts of the Blue Mountains were warned to brace for severe storms approaching Glenbrook, Hazelbrook, Springwood, Cranebrook and Penrith.

The BOM wrote that the cell had dropped 42mm of rain at Oberon just after 6pm, before Berringin another 36.5mm to Lithgow within 30 minutes by 7pm.

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