Sydney storms: Trains suspended, cars under water after smashed by flash flooding

Sydney’s inner west has copped a hiding this afternoon after flash flooding caused havoc across the area, with some Marrickville residents saying it was the worst in 20 years.

Sydney’s inner west copped a hiding on Tuesday afternoon after flash flooding — described by some residents as the worst to hit the area in 20 years — caused havoc on the area’s roads and brought the rail network to a standstill.

Marrickville bore the brunt of the storm with the Bureau of Meteorology revealing Marrickville Golf Club had received a month’s worth of rain in just two hours.

Water was quickly rising in certain areas and trains were forced to stop for extended periods as water covered tracks on the T1 line when the storm hit hardest just after 2pm.

Flash flooding in Carrington Road and Renwick in Sydney's Inner West. Picture: Peter Lalor

A flash flood at Carrington Road in Sydney's Inner West at Marrickville today. Picture Kim Gilmour

The rain is causing havoc in the area. Picture Kim Gilmour

This is climate change in action, right here in Marrickville Sydney. This took less than 20 minutes of rain to disrupt this whole street.#ClimateCrisis#ClimateEmergency#ClimateActionNowpic.twitter.com/nu9irxhlRO

— Darren (@Daz_boy) February 22, 2022

Carrington Rd soon resembled a lake and cars on the thoroughfare were quickly disappearing into the fast rising water. Residents living on Carrington Rd said it was the worst flood they can recall in the past 20 years.

The corner of Myrtle and Carrington Rds — the latter street was colloquially known previously as Swamp Rd — were underwater with cars partially submerged and the State Emergency Service (SES) on hand to try and shepherd cars onto another road, with mixed success.

Adam Jones, a NSW flood rescue operator, was on hand among other officers tending to just one of the spots in the inner west that have been hit by today’s flash floods

“It’s been a really busy afternoon here in Sydney,” Mr Jones said.

“We’ve had 450 jobs across the state so far, we’ve had 15 flood rescues, and most have been in the inner west from Strathfield to Tempe.

“It’s been a huge effort from everyone with the amount of rain we’ve had.”

A photo of the flash flooding at Marrickville. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

A number of cars were partially submerged. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

The SES encouraged motorists not to drive through floodwaters. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

A sewage pipe from one partially submerged building started flowing into the water, making a wet job even messier.

Most cars did a U-turn and backtracked away from the water but a few ignored the warnings and officers, ploughing through the water.

Mr Jones said it wasn’t worth the risk.

“Turn around, if you wouldn’t walk through it, don’t drive through it,” he said.

“There’s often pressure from cars behind you to drive on, but do the right thing, stop your car and turn the other way — it’s the smartest and best thing to do.”

Upcycling business Reverse Garbage recently moved into their new premises on 30 Carrington Rd, while their old site on Addison Rd had a leaky roof, the new location has now seen a flash flood and months worth of water.

Pictures of flooding at upcycling business Reverse Garbage.

The new upcycling business has been flooded.

The flood which engulfed the southern parts of Marrickville flowed into the warehouse shop, but the owners of Reverse Garbage have said they’ll be back open in a few days and people can best help by visiting the new site and buying a few things.

“Still plenty of stock that was above the waterline,” the owners said.

The SES has received a number of calls for help from the area with crews believed to be rescuing someone from a car in St Peters.

Trains were stopped near Marrickville Station after the downpour. Picture: Patrick Morrow

Delays are being experienced across the network. Picture: Patrick Morrow

The wild weather hit Wolli Creek about 5pm with lower level apartments inundated with water and debris, forcing a road closure for a short time.

Pictures of the flash flooding at Arncliffe St, Wolli Creek. Picture: Patrick Morrow

The debris on the road. Picture: Patrick Morrow

A severe weather warning remains in place stretching from Wollongong to north of Newcastle with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting intense rainfall and damaging winds.

Metropolitan Sydney, Upper Western and part of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Lower Western regions are also under warning.