Wet weather makes Sydney a ghost town: Streets and beaches deserted
THE big summer wet across NSW is set to continue today, with flood warnings issued for the north and south coasts. In Sydney, a home’s yard collapsed into the street after heavy rain overnight.
NSW
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EMERGENCY services have already received hundreds of calls for help after heavy rain in NSW but say the worst is yet to come.
The SES had 350 call-outs by this morning, mostly in the Sydney metro region.
Beaches that would normally be heaving with people were almost empty yesterday, shopping precincts seemed barren and usually busy roads were eerily quiet.
In Bronte, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, a home lost its entire back yard when heavy rain overnight caused a small landslide. No-one was injured and it is believed the residents were away on holiday at the time.
Two people were rescued on the south coast prompting warnings for people to stay clear of floodwaters and stormwater drains with more rain on the way.
“The focus is now moving up to Port Macquarie,” SES spokeswoman Sue Pritchard said.
“Falls of 50 to 100mm are predicted, and there are heavy falls over 200mm that are possible.”
A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and flash flooding is in place along the north coast while flood warnings have also been issued for the Moruya, Bega and Bulahdelah rivers.
The state’s south coast is experiencing flooding and road closures, while more rain is predicted in the coming days.
Multiple roads have been shut by floods at Bega.
This photo shows just how much rain Bulahdelah has received in the last 24 hours. #rain #flooding pic.twitter.com/3vPOzltTQ4
— NBN News (@nbnnews) January 5, 2016Homes inundated with water in #Bulahdelah details @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/PcoCt85tDv
— Sally Rafferty (@sally_rafferty) January 5, 2016
The Bega River river at Bega North hit almost 5.6 metres at 2am on Tuesday with minor flooding, while further north the Moruya River peaked below the minor flood level at 3.7 metres on Monday evening.
The SES was called out a flood rescue when several sheep and three cows were seen in flood waters.
Volunteers attended and provided a welfare check on the animals as flood levels began to recede.
Overall, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast easing conditions for the south coast, but the mid-north coast is expected to be hit with heavier rainfalls on Tuesday.
A flood watch has been issued for areas between Newcastle and Port Macquarie, including the Newcastle CBD.
More rain is also due in Sydney today, with a top temperature of 22C, frustrating fans and players at the third cricket Test at the SCG.
SES spokesman Phil Campbell said holiday-makers camping on river flats or near waterways needed to be prepared to move.
Campers and schoolchildren can only shake their heads at this month’s dismal forecast in a city renowned for its party lifestyle in summer.
The weather is in stark contrast to last year, when Sydney sweltered through early January.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast more showers over the next three days and a cloudy weekend.
Weatherzone veteran forecaster Don White said next week looks more promising — slightly warmer with stable weather patterns.
“But that 42C day we had last November might turn out to be the hottest of the season,” he said.
The widespread rain is being generated by humid easterly winds feeding into a trough over eastern NSW, coupled with a cold air mass in the upper atmosphere.
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