NSW wet weather photos and updates
The body of a Central Coast man has been found after his car was washed away during a flash flood overnight.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 54-year-old man has died after his vehicle became trapped in floodwaters as wild weather continues to lash the Central Coast.
Just after midnight on Friday, February 25, emergency services were called to Oak Rd, Matcham, following reports of a vehicle had gone missing in flood waters.
Following inquiries, officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District located a Toyota Land Cruiser in flood waters near the Maddens Creek crossing, about 1.30am.
The body of a 54-year-old Matcham man was found inside the vehicle.
Neighbours said the fast moving water was measuring as high as 1.8m on the flood gauge next to the creek crossing at the time.
It is understood the man’s 4WD became trapped against a private foot bridge over Maddens Creek on an adjacent property and the man was unable to open his door to escape.
NSW Police Rescue officers were heard this morning breaking a window of the 4WD to gain access to the driver before his body was removed.
Next-door neighbour Brian Connell said he was forced to park his car and hike in to his property overnight.
He said the water was up to the top of his thighs and “moving fast” across three sections of Oak Rd.
A crime scene was established and an investigation commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A report will now be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
It comes after the State Emergency Service has responded to more than 160 calls for assistance across the Central Coast as heavy rains continue to batter the region.
More than 140mm of rain lashed the coast in just four hours overnight sparking seven flood rescues.
As of Friday morning the following roads are closed:
- NORTH GOSFORD – Showground Road closed at the Maliwa Road intersection
- ERINA – Carlton Road closed all the way through to Milina Road
- HOLGATE – Where Wattle Tree Road meets Milina Road closed
- WAMBERAL – Willoughby Road through to Windsor Road closed
- OURIMBAH - Shirley Street closed
- OURIMBAH - Burns Road closed
The following roads have now been reopened:
- FORRESTERS BEACH - Central Coast Highway at Forresters Beach from Crystal Street to Tumbi Road reopened
EARLIER
Persistent wet weather across NSW has left streets flooded, kayaks on the loose and emergency crews on standby for possible flood rescues.
Astonishing video shows a fleet of red kayaks tumbling over the Audley Weir in Sydney’s Royal National Park, where direct access to Bundeena and Maianbar remains cut off.
The kayaks broke loose from the nearby Audley Boat Shed, which hires them out for day trippers – prompting calls for anyone who comes by one on the Port Hacking River to return it to the small business.
Video from Wolli Creek in Sydney’s southern suburbs shows streets underwater earlier on Wednesday, in scenes often seen after heavy rains in the high rise suburb.
It was wet, wild and miserable but not even some of the worst weather seen this summer could dampen the enthusiasm of young surf life savers from across the state competing at the NSW junior championships at Manly.
Youngsters and their families huddled under tents or umbrellas in between races at the state championships and then braved the elements for their racing.
Competition for the youngsters aged between nine and 15 continues until Sunday.
Meanwhile, the NSW Rural Fire Service has also stationed two rescue helicopters in Lismore and Coffs Harbour to assist in the event of flood rescues, as more rain is anticipated over coming days.
With more rain forecast over coming days, two #NSWRFS rescue helicopters have been positioned in Lismore and Coffs Harbour to assist in the event of possible flood rescues ðŸš
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 24, 2022
This week, @NSWSES has already completed 30 flood rescues. Do your bit by never entering floodwaters. pic.twitter.com/9Aqi7XplPx
“This week, NSW SES has already completed 30 flood rescues,” they tweeted.
“Do your bit by never entering floodwaters.”
NSW Fire and Rescue has also joined the flood response with a strike team equipped with a Hytrans vehicle, which can pump out large amounts of water and relocate it away from flooded areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also flagged detailed severe weather and flood warnings across the state, with the far-north and mid-north coast causing particular concern as more rain is expected in the afternoon.
A severe weather warning has been issued for the Northern Rivers and parts of the northern tablelands, with heavy rainfall which could cause flash flooding forecast over areas northeast of Tenterfield, Dorrigo, Bellingen and east of Kyogle and Grafton.
Areas which could be affected by the anticipated rainfall include Tweed Heads, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Tenterfield, and Dorrigo.
Alongside our strike team, we are also sending our Hytrans vehicle to assist with the flood response in Lismore. The Hytrans can pump out large amounts of water and relocate it away from flood-affected areas. It will be incredibly useful to relieve floodwaters in the Nth Rivers. pic.twitter.com/HpItbAark4
— Paul Baxter (@PaulBaxterFRNSW) February 23, 2022
Minor flooding is expected at Coraki and Bungawalbyn in the Richmond and Wilsons River catchment, at Thora and Bellingen in the Bellinger River catchment, the Wilsons River at Lismore and Chinderah on the Tweed River, and at Billinudgel and Mullumbimby on the Brunswick River.
There is also moderate flooding anticipated at Tumbulgum also on the Tweed River, and at Bowraville on the Nambucca River.
PARRAMATTA
Parramatta SES has kept busy with 62 responses for assistance since Tuesday, from a toppled tree causing power outages at Roland Ave, Northmead, to the banks bursting along the Parramatta River and a temporary waterfall proving a spectacular sight at Lake Parramatta.
On Friday, the SES unit volunteers deployed sandbags to stem flooding at a house on A’Becketts St after the creek by the same name overflowed from consistent downfalls. Parramatta SES deputy controller David Henry said A’Beckett St and creek had become a hot spot that the unit would continue to monitor, including next week when NSW braces for more rain.
It will join other danger areas including the back of the Rosehill industrial area around Kay, Unwin and Colquhoun streets; the Woodville Rd underpass at Granville, and Parramatta Wharf.
Flooding along the Parramatta River is standard but this week saw the first bursting of the banks since the demolition of Willow Grove to make way for the Powerhouse, which will be built on the flood-prone banks at Phillip St.
North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group, which unsuccessfully fought to save the heritage-listed villa Willow Grove, renewed calls for NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to relocate the museum to the Cumberland Hospital precinct at North Parramatta away from the river banks.
“There is very little community support for this project,’’ the group’s secretary Suzette Meade said.
“If Dominic Perrottet wanted to really show his government is listening to the community of Parramatta, he would make a visionary call to redirect the museum funding to deliver a cultural precinct that the community actually want beside the female convict site – that doesn’t flood.’’
Drug dealers ‘pistol-whipped’ lackey but deny shooting him
Two drug dealers who “f’n smashed” and pistol whipped a lackey when he failed to sell enough cocaine have denied later breaking into a house and shooting at him, a court has heard.
Man hit by car before pretend cop games with fake gun on train
In what a magistrate has described as “unusual circumstances”, a man impersonated a police officer and held a fake gun to the head of a train passenger just hours after being struck by a car.