NSW floods: southwest Sydney residents issued evacuation warning as severe storms loom
Picton, on Sydney’s southwest outskirts, is hoping for another near miss after residents were issued with an evacuation warning due to the sudden rise of a nearby river.
Macarthur
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The rural town of Picton is hoping for another near miss after residents were issued with an evacuation warning due to the sudden rise in the nearby river.
Picton residents are once again on high alert after a brief reprieve over the weekend had residents cautiously optimistic about the end of the disastrous wet weather.
The town had been issued an evacuation notice on Wednesday due to the rapidly rising Stonequarry Creek, but the creek then dropped to a manageable level by Friday when the sun was shining.
Wollondilly’s first popularly elected Mayor Matt Gould has been on the ground assisting residents protect their homes and providing updates for the community. He said the evacuation warning was issued on Saturday night after Picton was hit by a sudden downpour.
“We had a severe storm cell come through last night and it dropped close to 50mm of rain over Picton in the space of an hour,” he said.
“That caused Stonequarry Creek to rise very suddenly – it went up about two metres in the space of an hour. Fortunately it didn’t break the bank, it was coming up very quickly and then it stopped, so we dodged a bullet thankfully.”
Stonequarry Creek runs through Picton and bisects the main street, which would become inundated if the creek spilt over the bridge. Picton’s main street has previously been flooded, notably during the horrific 2016 floods, which Mayor Gould described as “absolutely devastating”.
However, the mayor said the town had learnt from that terrible experience and residents were much better prepared this time around. But as business owners told NewsLocal on Friday, the memories of the flood sweeping through the main street still linger.
“There is a lot of concern, especially in the CBD,” Mayor Gould said.
“Those business owners have been through an awful lot. They’ve struggled through Covid and the impact that’s had and now many of them have been shut for a few days and potentially will have to shut for a few more.”
At the moment, the water levels of Stonequarry Creek are decreasing and the immediate danger has passed. Despite the reprieve, Mayor Gould said the evacuation warning will remain active in case the creek suddenly rises again.
He noted the Bureau of Meteorology had issued a severe weather warning for the area this morning which outlined the potential for severe thunderstorms and forecast between 70 and 140mm of rain in a short period of time.
“Stonequarry Creek is a very flashy creek – it goes up very quickly and comes down very quickly. So that sort of rain is potentially a concern,” Mayor Gould said.
“Right now, there’s no imminent threat but SES and council are watching the creek very closely. The concern is if we get really heavy rain or one of the thunderstorms coming through.”
Despite the stressful wet week, the mayor said there has been a silver lining.
“The one thing that always does come out when we have these natural disasters (which is too often in Wollondilly) is just how amazing our community is,” he said.
Mayor Gould said the resilience and kindness of the community were obvious in everything from the emergency services teams to the volunteers putting up their hands to offer strangers a place to stay.
“While it’s terrible that this has happened, it does really show the strength of the community spirit and why Wollondilly is such an amazing place,” he said.
Whether the predicted storms result in flooding will be touch and go for the day, the mayor said. He will remain in Picton for some of the afternoon before heading to Bents Basin Rd, which may be issued an evacuation warning on Sunday evening.
Going forward, Mayor Gould said council would do everything it can to support residents and businesses impacted by the floods, in order to get the community back on its feet.
Wollondilly has now been classified as a natural disaster area, which means those affected by the floods can apply for financial assistance.
Saturday, March 5
What a difference a day makes.
Only two days after Stonequarry Creek threatened to flood Picton’s main street on Wednesday, the sun is shining and shop owners are reopening with cautious optimism.
Many of the businesses were able to fortify their storefronts with sandbags and tarpaulins on Tuesday, thanks to the early warning from the Bureau of Meteorology and the tireless efforts of the local SES teams.
The owner of Porter and Hudson florist, Rebecca, said the early warning made all the difference to the Picton community – who have had almost annual flood scares.
Picton was put on evacuation notice on Wednesday during the worst of the heavy rain, only a year after the town was evacuated for last year’s floods.
Rebecca, who asked for her last name to be withheld, said previous floods have had a big impact on her business.
“We did flood in 2020 and that was enough. That was a bit of a horrific ordeal,” she said.
“(This time) We dodged a bullet by all accounts.”
However, she also believes the floods have brought out the best in the community, with residents and SES teams banding together to prepare for the natural disasters. She is grateful to all those who pitched in to sandbag her shop and offer support.
That support has come in the form of orders as well, with residents calling to place flower orders as soon as Porter and Hudson reopened.
“We’re lucky. We’ve got some good eggs around here,” she said.
Despite her positive outlook, Rebecca notes there are reports of a new storm headed for the Macarthur region over the weekend.
“There is talk of another storm coming through tomorrow, which is why the sandbags are still out, just in case we need to pack up and evacuate again,” she said.
“I’m hoping that’s not the case but if it is, I feel like we’re well prepared to get on with it.”
It’s a practical attitude shared by the owners of another of the Argyle St businesses situated close to the troublesome creek.
Christine and Mark Campbell are the owners of A1 Autoparts Picton in the process of restocking the entire shop after they moved all of their products to higher ground in case of flooding.
“It’s a relief that (the creek) didn‘t come up but it was such hard work to get all the stock up there and then get it all back down again,” Ms Campbell said.
It took the pair a day and a half to de-stock the shelves and it will take another day and a half to restock, but the business owners recognise they’re fortunate.
“We’ve been so lucky in Picton,” Ms Campbell said.
The Campbells weren’t so lucky during the horrific Picton floods of 2016, during which the water reached the top of the shop windows and destroyed much of their stock. It’s a natural disaster that’s fresh in the minds of many business owners in Picton.
“That’s why everyone really panics in Picton (when a flood is predicted), because they know what happened then,” Ms Campbell said.
“They can’t afford to lose everything again.”
She said it’s particularly difficult to find insurance companies who will protect businesses in the area after the 2016 floods tore through the town.
“No one will insure for floods down here any more. There’s no one that will do it anymore unless you want to pay $40,000 a year,” Ms Campbell said.
Despite the predictions of wet weather, the Campbells are sure “we’ll be right”.
As the immediate threat abates, locals can be seen around the town putting their sandbags to the kerb for collection by council. They’re hoping not to need them for at least another year.
Wednesday, March 2
Multiple riverside towns in Sydney’s southwest have been ordered to prepare to evacuate as flooding becomes an imminent threat.
The NSW State Emergency Service has issued a flood evacuation warnings for Picton’s CBD and parts of Chipping Norton, while the BOM has released a major flood warning for the Upper Nepean.
All residents in low-lying areas around the Georges River from the Bankstown region to the Liverpool regions and suburbs of Campbelltown are now being ordered to leave urgently by the NSW SES, before night breaks.
The evacuation track for residents of Rickard Rd in Chipping Norton is quickly deteriorating, with the SES suggesting residents use the flood evacuation gate between Arthur St and Riverside Drive.
Liverpool’s west had particularly bad flooding today with SES called on to rescue residents and close down multiple streets.
For Picnic Point residents Lenore and Wendy Gurney, who live on the bank of the Georges River at Picnic Point, the waters are dangerously close to home.
Ms Gurney has had to sandbag her home, but the water is still rising.
As a result of rising flood waters, residents in the Picton’s CBD are being asked to prepare to evacuate and a statement from the SES said once waters begin to rise in Stonequarry Creek, there would be flooding of roads and sewage and power lines may be lost.
“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped and it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you,” the statement said.
Picton residents are asked to identify a safe place they can go, stay up to date with information, life belongings above the predicted flood height, place electrical items on top, take pets and essential items including clothes, medicine and important documents with them.
The Stonequarry Creek broke its banks in June 2016, causing catastrophic floods.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for an expected “six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120mm”, which could also impact the Central and Southern Tablelands.
Locally intense rainfall leading to dangerous flash flooding is possible with thunderstorms with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 200mm possible.
As Argyle St in Picton was closed at the Stonequarry Creek bridge, locals were banding together to help each other protect their businesses against potential flooding.
Aaron Scott, general manager of Sunbrite Solar, has been out on the streets helping out wherever possible since Tuesday night.
“All my guys were helping out last night and they’re up filling sandbags at the moment,” he said.
“One of the buildings had a major electrical issue so they were out here doing roof repairs and disconnecting power.”
Mr Scott has been a Picton local his whole life, and lived through the 2016 floods when several businesses were flooded while families in nearby homes had to be evacuated by boat.
He said it was great to see the community rallying to help each other out.
“A lot of businesses have jumped out to help each other prepare,” Mr Scott said.
“Whether it’s a small or big flood, my business wants to help support the community.
“We are talking about people’s livelihoods here, and some of these businesses don’t have flood insurance.”
Wollondilly Shire mayor Matt Gould said there were significant flooding issues across the shire due to the heavy rain.
“The more rain we get the more problems we are going to see,” he said.
“It doesn’t look like it will be the scale of the 2016 floods, but we could see some flooding but is a bit early to tell.
“We know there is the potential for up to 200mm … if it lands on our heads we are going to have some challenges.”
Mr Gould urged residents who did not need to be out on the roads to stay at home and avoid driving.
“If you don’t need to be out and about, then don’t be,” he said.
Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith said Picton was expected to be the worst affected area in his electorate.
GEORGES RIVER COMMUNITIES ORDERED TO LEAVE
The Georges River is expected to flood today, reaching 2m in the afternoon.
All residents in low-lying areas along the Georges River – including Milperra, East Hills, Chipping Norton, Pleasure Point, Voyager Point and Sandy Point have now been ordered to evacuate.
Other suburbs subject to the evacuation order are within the Bankstown, Liverpool, Fairfield and Campbelltown regions.
At Milperra, the Georges River has risen dramatically, with parks on the waterside clearly submerged.
Leane Stitzinger lives up the road from Bradbury Wharf, and has been a Milperra resident for 20 years.
And she said she’s never seen the area this flooded.
“The last one I’ve seen was in 1988, and it was nothing like this,” said Ms Stitzinger.
The western part of the Liverpool area, including Rossmore and Austral had “significant flooding” from early today, according to the local SES deputy duty commander, Michael Kennedy, who asks residents to reconsider any travel through those areas.
Liverpool local Bianca Tomelic drove past her boyfriend’s house to see if he could return later in the day, but the flood waters stopped her from going any further.
Her partner, Louis Zammit, may not be able to return home later today.
Nepean River
The BOM have issued a major flood warning for the Upper Nepean, and the minor flood level has been exceeded at Menangle and further rises to major flood level are possible this afternoon.
The Nepean at Camden Weir may exceed the minor flood level this afternoon, with rises to the moderate level possible this evening.
While at Wallacia, it may exceed the minor level this evening and is likely to exceed the moderate level by Thursday morning, with rises to 13 metres and major flooding possible on Thursday afternoon.
Warragamba Dam as well as several of the Upper Nepean Dams have started to spill.
ROAD CLOSURES
Argyle St has been closed at Stonequarry Creek bridge at Picton due to rapidly rising flood waters. Council crews are preparing to drop the sides of the bridge.
Other roads closed in the Macarthur region and surrounds include:
- Menangle Bridge
- Anthony Road, Catherine Field
- Catherine Field Road, Catherine Field
- Camden Valley Way, Narellan (between the roundabout at The Links, Narellan to Hilder Street, Camden)
- Heath Road, Leppington
- Bent Road, Leppington
- Robinson Road, Leppington
- Kirkham Lane, Kirkham
- Ingleburn Road, Leppington
- Sheathers Lane, Camden (between Old Oaks Rd and Cawdor Rd)
- Little Sandy Bridge, Camden
- Harrington Park Walkway
- Harrington Parkway Bridge Pedestrian Underpass Wollondilly
- Glendiver Road, The Oaks
- Oberon-Colong Stock Route Douglas Park causeway, Douglas Park Drive
- Abbotsford Road, Picton
- Broughton Pass, Appin
- Turner Street at the Rita Street end, Thirlmere
- Woodbridge Road near Menangle Road, Menangle
- Silverdale Road at Bobs Range Road, Orangeville
- George Street, Tahmoor
- Coachwood Crescent, Picton
- Thirlmere Way at Brundah Street, Thirlmere
- Argyle Street, Picton at Stonequarry Creek
- Silverdale Road at Pineridge Cres
- Menangle Road Bridge at Nepean River Menangle Mount Hunter road
- Cambridge Ave, Glenfield is currently closed due to the ongoing rain and risk of flooding.
Please use alternate routes if travelling in this area. Please drive safely and don’t attempt to drive through floodwaters.
The SES warns drivers to not go through floodwaters due to the danger, and instead find an alternate route.
They said anyone on the road should stick to the “if it‘s flooded, forget it” mentality.
Austral and Rossmore are currently flooding, with several roads closed:
- Fourth Ave Austral Between Eighth Ave and Fifth Ave
- Twelfth Ave, Austral
- May Ave, Rossmore, Rossmore Ave to Wynard Ave
- Gurner Ave, Austral
- North Ave, Rossmore
- Fifth Ave, Austral, Cnr Fourth Ave and Fifth Ave
- Adams Road, Luddenham
- Belfield Ave, Rossmore between North Ave and May Ave
- Cambrige Ave, Glenfield Causeway
- Thirteenth Ave west of Fourth Ave Austral
Certain roads in Canterbury Bankstown and Fairfield are now also closed:
• Henry Lawson Drive; Georges Hall
• Newbridge Road, between Henry Lawson Drive and Governor Macquarie Drive
• Henry Lawson Drive; between Milperra Road and Raleigh Road.
• Milperra Road and Ashford Avenue
• Henry Lawson Drive; between m5 Motorway and Kelso Park (East Hills)
• Henry Lawson Drive; at East Hills Park
• Uranus Road, Revesby
• Carinya Road, Picnic Point
• Rail underpass at Sussex Street and Broomfield Street Cabramatta.
• Prospect Road & Moore Street rail underpass at Canley Vale
• Sandal Crescent rail underpass at Caramar
• The Horsley Drive – Horsley Road – Arundel Road intersection from Horsley Park Gun Shop to Horsley Park RFS Station.
PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY
Volunteers from Wollondilly SES and local RFS brigades have worked through the night to help business owners in Picton with property protection and members of the community with requests for assistance from inundation.
“The unit is receiving a large request for sandbags and ask the community to be patient as we work through these requests,” a spokesman said.
“For updated information around sand bag collection points and road closures please check the local unit and council facebook pages.
“We are expecting to see an increase in rain throughout today and into the weekend with the possibility of winds.”
Campbelltown SES unit commander Ian Shepherd said the heavy rain did not hit at the time expected, but it would be coming down later on Wednesday.
He said flood rescue crews were on standby while storm crews were already out assisting the community with leaking roofs.
“It will be here later today, there will be more rain and it will be intense,” Mr Shepherd said.
“Our biggest problem at the moment is we don’t have sand for residents to collect, we are arranging for some more today.
“We had a very good response yesterday to our sandbag point at the depot here, but we don’t have any at the moment.”
Mr Shepherd urged the community to take the dangers of floodwater seriously.
“It contains a lot of bad stuff including sewer and chemicals and people who get on their surfboards and try and have fun are risking their health,” he said.
“They are also risking the lives of our flood rescue people who have to go in and get them if they get into trouble.”
Sandbags are available for Liverpool residents, and can be picked up at 3 Hoxton Park Road, Liverpool.
CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES
Residents are reminded to call triple-0 for assistance, and not reach out to social media pages after two incidents.
In one, a South Lismore family was seeking refuge from the flood when the realisation dawned about 10am yesterday that it was too dangerous to get on the slippery roof of their Edward St home and wait for help.
With no mobile signal and losing hope, the woman used internet access on her phone to send a distress message to a family friend living overseas as they considered sheltering in the roof cavity.
The friend then randomly sought help via Sydney’s Narellan Fire Station Facebook page, writing a message: “Please small child in house TRAPPED GET HELP OUT THERE NOW PLEASE.”
An off-duty FRNSW firefighter spotted the message and contacted emergency services, and the family were rescued.
FRNSW Act. Superintendent, Mathew Sigmund, said while there was a fortunate outcome in this instance, it is crucial that the public realises that Fire and Rescue NSW Facebook pages are not routinely monitored and should not be relied upon as an alternative to triple-0.
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