Camden residents, businesses clean up after Nepean River at Camden Weir flooding

Camden businesses and residents are picking up the pieces after being flooded for the third time in a month.

Businesses and residents are once again facing a massive clean-up in southwest Sydney after some were hit by floodwaters for the third time in just a month.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a moderate flood peak higher than the March 2022 floods hit Camden on Thursday night.

The Nepean River at Camden Weir peaked at 12.21 metres round 10pm Thursday and is falling with moderate flooding.

Jim McGregor was out and about on Friday morning cleaning up his property after the waters had wreaked havoc, running on just two hours sleep.

Jim McGregor is cleaning up his Peter Ave home after it flooded for the third time in a month at Camden. The dirt on the fence shows how high the waters rose. Picture: Annie Lewis

It’s the third time in a month his property has been impacted.

“It started coming up on Thursday afternoon and we were expecting it just to creep up,” Mr McGregor said.

“It happened so fast. It came up so quick. Before we knew it, it was in the street. It came up in a rush.”

Mr McGregor and his wife, Vicki, stayed at their Peter Ave home.

“The first one came up to the yard,” Mrs McGregor said.

“The second time it damaged stuff in the garage and destroyed shelving.

“We had hoped this time we had put everything up high up enough but by the time we realised it would be higher, we couldn’t get in.”

Jim McGregor says community members in Camden always help each other out. Picture: Annie Lewis

The McGregors have lived in the street for 30 years, and the latest event is the highest they have ever seen it flood.

Mrs McGregor said it would have been even higher in the 1964 floods.

“But this time it just moved so fast,” she said. “I was talking to my son at one stage and just in a few minutes I saw it rise quickly.

“I am flabbergasted, I have never seen it happen three times in a month.”

The McGregors said it had been a tiring month with the three floods, but added the community continues to support each other.

“I think everyone thinks we are lucky that we are not in Lismore,” Mr McGregor said.

The Camden sports club and Bowling club flooded again after most repairs from the last flood were being completed. RFS members help locals clean up.

Terry Gordon, the chairman of Camden Sporties, said that first thing on Friday morning they had been down at the site to check out the damage.

“The water came up higher than it did last time, about six inches,” he said.

“But this time we had everything moved. We are hoping that we can save the carpet as we had just put the new one down after the last time.

“I guess you could say we are getting a bit of practice.”

Mr Gordon said the first flood in March had not impacted them, but the second one hit them hard and they didn’t have enough time to prepare.

Camden a day after another flood in the area.

He said while this week they were able to prepare somewhat, it was upsetting to see all their hard work from the last few weeks undone.

“These last floods we have seen, I have never seen a current move like that,” Mr Gordon said.

“It came up so quickly which I can’t get my head around just how it moves that fast.”

Mr Gordon said once again community members had already rallied to offer their help, adding it was great to see how supportive Camden is.

Argyle Street flooded on April 7. Picture: Brett Atkins.

Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli said she was inspired by the resilience in her community, but acknowledged a lot of residents were “shattered”.

“I was speaking to businesses and they had just finished cleaning up after the last one and now this,” she said.

“It is heartbreaking to see what Camden is going through.”

Ms Fedeli urged all community members to heed advice from authorities and stay safe.

Camden floods on April 7. Picture: Brett Atkins.

Camden MP Peter Sidgreaves said it was a tough time for many local in the community, especially those who had been hit for the second or third time.

He said people who have cleaned up, completed insurance claims and are trying to move on have now been hit again.

“It’s heartbreaking for these residents and businesses who are putting everything to get things back to normal and have it happen again,” Mr Sidgreaves said.

“The floods are causing a lot of damage.”

Mr Sidgreaves urged all residents to continue to follow directions from authorities and stay safe.