NSW Floods: Picton, Camden ready for clean-up as floodwaters start recede

Floodwaters in the Macarthur region have begun to recede after the region was lashed by intense rainfall, with hopes building that evacuated residents may be able to return home today.

Southwest Sydney residents in Camden and Picton can breathe a sigh of relief as floodwaters from the Nepean River start to recede, according to a top disaster chief.

Macarthur residents had battened down the hatches, with some having to evacuate, across Monday and Tuesday as intense rainfall and storms moved across the region.

The SES has issued an “all clear” as of 9am on Wednesday as the water level in Stonequarry Creek has dropped and the risk of flooding has eased.

SES assistant commissioner Sean Kearns told 2GB this morning the Nepean River was beginning to fall in the southwest Sydney after water levels peaked on Tuesday.

A volunteer from State Emergency Services helps in filling the sandbags in Camden on March 8. Picture: Muhammad Farooq/AFP

Assistant commissioner Kearns said evacuated residents might be allowed to return home as soon as today.

“The good news is that we have seen the river is falling there, the plan today is that the team will be reviewing what‘s happening,” he said.

“They‘re making sure it’s safe to return, and we are hoping during the day we might be able to issue that people can return, with caution … we just need to make sure, we need to check things like electricity, sewerage and the like to make sure it’s safe to return.”

FLOOD WARNINGS

Along the Upper Nepean at Wallacia river levels fell below the major flood level (11m) early Wednesday morning. Moderate flooding is now taking place at Menangle, Camden and Wallacia.

The river at Menangle Bridge peaked at 15.9m about 1am on Tuesday, with major flooding above the March 2021 event. The river is currently at 10.2m metres and falling, with moderate flooding.

A container floats as rising floodwater inundated commercial area during heavy rain in southwestern suburb of Camden on March 8. Picture: Muhammad Farooq/AFP

The Nepean River at Camden Weir peaked at 12m around 4.14pm on Tuesday and is currently at 8.87m and falling, with moderate flooding.

The Nepean River at Wallacia peaked at 11.35m around 7.30pm Tuesday and is currently at 10.75m and steady, with moderate flooding.

ROAD CLOSURES

Due to flooding in the region, some roads are still closed to drivers. Anyone out on the roads is reminded not to drive through floodwaters.

Camden:

• Anthony Road, Leppington
• Sheathers Lane, Camden (between Cawdor Road and The Old Oaks Road)
• Smalls Road at Sickles Creek, Grasmere
• Kirkham Lane, Kirkham
• Onslow Oval, Camden
• Cawdor Road (Between Murray Street and Burragorang Road), Grasmere
• Cut Hill Road (Cobbitty Road Intersection), Cobbitty
• Little Sandy Bridge, Camden
• Macquarie Grove Bridge, Kirkham
• Cobbitty Bridge, Cobbitty
• Cowpasture Bridge, Camden

A house is seen inundated by the floodwater in southwestern suburb of Camden on March 8. Picture: Muhammad Farooq/AFP

Wollondilly Shire:

• Blaxland Crossing (Wallacia Bridge)
• Oberon-Colong Stock Route
• Douglas Park Gorge, Douglas Park
• Broughton Pass, Appin
• Bents Basin Road (Causeway)
• Woodbridge Road (at the intersection of Finns Road), Menangle
• Werombi Road at Brownlow Hill (from Cobbitty Bridge to Stanhope Road)
• Menangle Bridge, Menangle
• Cawdor Road (from Doncaster Ave to Ultimate Paintball)
• Cobbitty Bridge, Cobbitty
• Glendiver Road, The Oaks
• Station Street, Tahmoor (between Nattai Street and Bargo River Road)- residents only
• Barkers Lodge Road at Argyle Street and Mulhollands Road
• Old Razorback Road, Razorback
• Brownlow Hill Loop Road (at the intersection of Paschendaele Place)