NSW weather: Flash storm damages homes, flood warning issued

A flash storm has swept through NSW overnight, prompting a dozen flood rescues and even igniting a house fire in Sydney’s west.

A wild storm has hammered parts of NSW, with torrential rain damaging homes and prompting more than a dozen flood rescues and lightning even igniting a house fire in Sydney’s west.

A trough over the state’s inland triggered widespread thunderstorms across the north of the state and Sydney early on Thursday, just a day after heavy rain caused chaos for peak hour commuters.

The worst of the storm was in the Mid North Coast, where 309mm of rain pelted down in the Bellinger River in 24 hours and in Wolli, where a whopping 137mm of rain fell in just three hours.

A storm swept through Sydney and the state’s Mid North Coast on Thursday, prompting flood rescues and even resulting in a house fire. Picture John Grainger

The deluge triggered flash flooding in parts of the state’s north, including the Orara River at Glenreagh and the Bellinger River.

State Emergency Service crews attended 17 flood rescues overnight and have received 160 jobs statewide since yesterday, the majority of which were in Tamworth and Coffs Harbour.

“Most of the jobs related to leaking roofs, flooding and trees and branches down … Mostly from the heavy rain,” explained Ilana Pender-Rose from the SES.

Near Coffs Harbour, a freight train carrying dangerous goods derailed and burst into flames on Thursday morning, with images showing some carriages toppling into floodwaters. The cause of the derailment is not yet known.

The @NSWSES has asked for assistance moving personnel and @FRNSW HAZMAT specialists to a train derailment near Nana Glen, north west of Coffs Harbour. Our #NSWRFS helicopter will remain in the area to assist with this incident and potential flood operations over coming days. pic.twitter.com/ETtuFmiPu7

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 24, 2021

The storm also drenched parts of Sydney on Thursday morning, with 10mm recorded in Parramatta in several hours.

In Seven Hills in the city’s west, lightning sparked a house fire and even triggered a false emergency alarm at Westmead Hospital.

Helen Kirkup from the BOM said the storm was similar to a flash storm: “They were moving quite fast, to someone it might seem like they came and went.”

A severe storm warning for heavy rain and flash flooding was on Thursday morning issued by the BOM for Wollongong, Bowral, Kiama, Jenolan Caves, Trunkey Creek and Taralga, south west of Sydney.

⚠️ Minor #Flood Warning updated for the #BellinerRiver at #Thora where minor flooding is occurring and river level is near its peak . See https://t.co/c4sxubd6Bb for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES. #NSWFloodspic.twitter.com/fMjBHqlnem

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) February 25, 2021

Emergency services are urging people to watch the weather alerts closely, prepare their homes and avoid floodwaters as the state’s Mid North Coast prepares for more wild weather.

“We would like people to prepare for the weather, this includes cleaning your gutters and downpipes of foliage and debris to try and avoid damage to roof,” Ms Pender-Rose said.

“Most importantly, we are asking people to stay away from flood waters. Don’t let kids or animals play near flood waters.”

BOM duty forecaster Helen Kirkup said that while the worst of the wild weather was over for Sydney, the state’s north was likely to see more activity in coming days.

“For the northern area which received the worst of it, it is possible the storms will continue overnight and into tomorrow,” she said.

The rainy conditions come just 24 hours after a downpour caused chaos for commuters on Wednesday, prompting lengthy delays on the M5 when flooding forced the closure of one lane.

Anyone who needs assistance should call the SES on 13 25 00. If the situation is life threatening, call triple-0.