Penrith flooding: Mulgoa, Jamisontown, Penrith, Londonderry ordered to evacuate
Olympian Jess Fox has taken to Twitter to show the ‘crazy’ state of the whitewater stadium in Penrith as the SES says the worst of the flooding was ‘likely behind us’.
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Amazing tales of residents wading through floodwaters to rescue horses and mates sandbag properties as the water rises has emerged during the 1 in 50 year flood event.
The SES has said the worst of the flooding is likely behind the region while the Nepean River levels continue to drop. The river peaked at 9.99 metres on Sunday afternoon, but had fallen more than two metres to 6.30 metres as of 1.17am on Tuesday morning.
Thousands of residents were evacuated, but have now been given the all clear to return to their homes.
COUNCIL BLOCKS OFF SINKHOLE
A sinkhole that formed in Emu Plains has been blocked off by Penrith Council, causing some traffic delays.
Reports of the sinkhole on Nepean St near the Great Western Highway first came in on Tuesday afternoon.
There is evidence of a dip in the road, and there are cracks in the guttering where the road has been blocked off.
Penrith Council believes the sinkhole was caused by a burst pipe.
Resident Daniel Quinn described driving over the sinkhole on Facebook.
“It literally sunk down as I drove over it,” he said.
“Luckily the car jumped out before it went too far.”
PENRITH WHITEWATER STADIUM LOOKING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT
Tokyo Olympic gold medal contender Jessica Fox said flooding near her home at Penrith is “just crazy’’ with the champion athlete paddling from her car into the Penrith whitewater stadium on Tuesday.
The greatest female paddler in the sport said she has never seen anything like the devastation near her western Sydney home or water levels at the stadium where she and other members of the Australian Olympic team usually train ahead of the Tokyo Games.
“We are OK but a couple of houses near me on River Road have been affected. It’s pretty crazy. It looks pretty bad,’’ Fox told NewsLocal.
“We are a single storey but up on a hill.
“The bank of the Nepean is underwater, the carpark and playground is completely under.
“It’s quite crazy to see it that bad, how much of it is overflowing.
“It’s apparently the highest since 1961 so I have never seen it this high before,’’
Training looks a little different.. #Penrith lakes are super high, so no whitewater for a while. 🤷ðŸ½â€â™€ï¸ #nswfloods#penrithfloodspic.twitter.com/4WqjqoVz8i
— Jess Fox OLY (@jessfoxcanoe) March 22, 2021
Fox said she went to the whitewater stadium on Saturday to move her boats to higher ground in case of flooding.
“I saw the boat ramp was under, now it’s completely engulfed along with all our flood water gates and half the carpark.
“I parked my Tokyo in the carpark and walked a couple of steps and I could have paddle from the carpark to the middle of the lake.
“The course is completely inundated. You can’t taunt in the whitewater until the Lake drops.
“If the lake drops they have to access if there is damage in the pumps. It is quite concerning.’’
Australian Olympian turned sailing coach Darren Bundock is also being affected by flooding on the Central Coast.
SES SAYS WORST BEHIND US
Penrith SES Controller Scott Lynch said crews will remain on the ground on Tuesday despite the Nepean River falling almost four metres since its peak on Sunday afternoon.
He said the worst of the flooding was most likely behind us, however further rain systems could change predictions.
“Things are looking OK, the water seems to be slowly receding,” Mr Lynch said.
“There’s a slight rise at Wallacia that we’re keeping an eye on, but we’re not concerned at this moment.
“We have crews out assisting with storm damage and monitoring flood levels, and unless there’s a significant increase in the weather, we hope things will continue to clear up.”
Mr Lynch said there were several rescues in Londonderry overnight, including animals that were evacuated by boat.
HELP FOR LIVESTOCK OWNERS
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services is offering landholders and communities assistance with emergency fodder, animal assessment, and welfare assessment.
They also urge all livestock owners to move their animals to higher ground and consider evacuating them if possible.
Animal evacuation services are available at the Castle Hill Showgrounds, and other facilities are on standby if required.
If you require assistance, call 1800 814 647.
POLICE URGE CAUTION IN ONGOING SEVERE CONDITIONS
NSW Police have urged the community to continue showing caution as wet weather continues to impact the Penrith area.
The conditions have the potential to damage homes and property, as well as possibly causing trees and powerlines to fall.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre will continue to support the severe weather operation this week on 1800 227 228, and will remain operational until at least 5pm on Friday.
Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said several regions were bracing for further rainfall.
“Members of the public in the flood affected areas need to continue to heed the warnings and advice of the NSW State Emergency Service and all emergency services,” he said.
“We are preparing and planning to ensure we are ready to respond as the weather event spreads to the western part of the state and the south coast.
“The message from Police and SES has been consistent for the last few days – if possible, avoid going outside and if you do drive, plan ahead – pay attention to RMS message boards for road closures or hazardous conditions, and never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
“Do not put your life or that of emergency service personnel in danger.”
FEAR AND ANXIETY AT EVACUATION CENTRES
As the rain continues to fall dozens of families have started arriving at evacuation centres across the state.
Many of those who are at risk of losing their homes in Sydney have made their way to Castle Hill RSL where they will be processed and given what support they need.
Steve O’Donnell from McGraths Hill said he knew it was serious when Richmond Bridge and Windsor Bridge “went under” on Sunday morning.
Mr O’Donnell, his wife Sam and their two kids Mahalia, 10, and Nate, 5, packed their belongings on Sunday evening and escaped from the floods first thing on Monday.
He said he rushed to pack the basics such as kids’ clothes and food for their pets as well as “irreplaceable items” like photographs and documents.
“Everything else we put up on the benches and hoped for the best,” he said.
When asked how confident he was about his home being spared, he said “not very.”
For more from the evacuation centre click here.
PENRITH EVACUEES GIVEN ‘ALL CLEAR’ TO RETURN
The SES has officially given residents of Mulgoa, Penrith, and Jamisontown who were ordered to evacuate yesterday the all-clear to return to their homes. If your property was affected by flooding, you should do the following things:
Make sure your property is safe before entering. Check for damage to windows,
walls and the roof. Make sure the electricity and gas is turned off before going
inside.
• If power points, electrical equipment, appliances or electrical hot water systems
have been exposed to floodwater or are water damaged in any way, they must be
inspected by a qualified electrician before use
• Gas appliances and gas bottles that have been exposed to floodwater should be
inspected for safety before use
• Wear protective clothing, including boots and gloves when cleaning up
• Be aware of any slip, trip or fall hazards
• Never eat food which has been in contact with floodwater
• Only use clean utensils and personal items and have a supply of fresh drinking water
RIVER DROPS OVERNIGHT
The Nepean River has fallen almost two metres overnight, however we’re not out of danger yet as the SES says renewed rises are possible with the forecast rainfall.
The river was observed at 2.57m on Saturday afternoon at 2.32pm, but had risen four metres to 6.32m just after 1am on Sunday morning.
The highest officially observed level in Penrith was 9.99m at 5.29pm on Sunday evening, but it’s possible the river rose above 10 metres at some point over the weekend.
The river fell by almost two metres to 8.03m on Monday morning at 7.38am, and the next update is expected sometime around 11am.
Penrith has received a drenching since Friday morning with 227mm falling on the region between 9am on Friday and 9am on Monday.
This included 105.4mm between 9am on Saturday and 9am on Sunday, and a further 88mm between 9am on Sunday and 9am on Monday.
Already another 5.6mm has fallen since 9am this morning – the heaviest rain of the weekend was 25.4mm between 9am and 11am on Sunday.
River Levels
Saturday @ 2.32pm: 2.57m
Saturday @ 5.35pm: 3.43m
Saturday @ 7.57pm: 4.43m
Saturday @ 11.14pm: 5.44m
Sunday @ 1.02am: 6.32m
Sunday @ 5.26am: 7.71m
Sunday @ 9.14am: 8.59m
Sunday @ 10.49am: 9.09m
Sunday @ 12.02pm: 9.37m
Sunday @ 1.26pm: 9.61m
Sunday @ 5.29pm: 9.99m
Sunday @ 9.29pm: 9.74m
Sunday @ 11.50pm: 9.35m
Monday @ 2.47am: 8.79m
Monday @ 7.38am: 8.03m
RESIDENTS EVACUATED
Residents in Jamisontown, Regentville and ‘western parts of Penrith” have evacuated their homes, as low-lying areas surrounding the Nepean River in the Penrith valley brace for inundation by floodwaters.
Evacuation orders were issued to residents on Sunday afternoon, with NSW SES directing people within the Western parts of Penrith to evacuate the high danger area using the Memorial Avenue onto the Great western highway onto Victoria Bridge towards Emu Plains. “Water is already entering the rear of properties along Ladbury Avenue,” the evacuation order said.
“The evacuation is for all properties within the area bounded by the Nepean River, south of the Great Western Highway and west of Peach Tree Creek.
This includes: Captains Road; Fitch Avenue; Ladbury Avenue; Memorial Avenue; Nepean Avenue; and Recreation Avenue.
The evacuation is also for all properties within the area of all the properties in the immediate vicinity of Cables Wake Park. The area bounded by Nepean River, Jamison Road and Peach Tree Creek.
“Residents should relocate personal possessions to a safe place — by 4.30pm, leave the high danger area and move to safety outside the flood affected area.”
Similar orders were issued for residents within the western part of Jamisontown, to evacuate the high danger area using the Great Western Highway Evacuation Route.
The evacuation is for all properties within the area of all properties bounded by Jamison road, Surveyors Creek, Blaikie Road, Rear of Penrith Homemaker Centre, Western Motorway and Nepean River.
“Residents should relocate personal possessions to a safe place by 9pm,” the order said. “Leave the high danger area and move to safety outside the flood affected area.”
While all residents in Martin Street between Mulgoa Creek and the Nepean River in Regentville have been ordered to evacuate the high danger area using the Mulgoa Road Evacuation Route by 9pm.
River Rd, Emu Plains, has been closed as part of “precautionary measures” near the M4 bridge with water completely covering the roadway as several homes were left without power.
CORRECTIONAL CENTRE EVACUATED
Evacuations of Residents in Penrith, Regentville, Londonderry and Jamisontown come as Corrective Services NSW decided to remove all inmates and staff from the Emu Plains Correctional Centre, Bolwara Transitional Centre and Amber Laurel Correctional Centre off Old Bathurst Rd, Emu Plains last night - as the flood risk heightened.
A spokeswoman assured the community that all evacuees are safe.
“The decision was made after consulting with the State Emergency Service and Police, following predictions of worsening weather in the area over the next few days,” she said.
“Thirty-five minimum-security female inmates from Emu Plains and 15 minimum-security female inmates from Bolwara were moved to Dillwynia Correctional Centre.”
The spokeswoman said inmates would remain at the Berkshire Park facility until it was safe to return.
“Twenty-five female and male inmates at Amber Laurel were moved to holding cells at other Sydney correctional facilities, the Correctives spokeswoman said.
Commissioner Peter Severin said the safety of staff and offenders was “paramount” when deciding whether to evacuate a correctional centre.
“We have strong flood management plans in place and are well prepared for such situations,” he said.
Visits to affected facilities are cancelled until further notice.
LONDONDERRY INUNDATED WITH WATER
Melbourne Cup jockey Kathy O’Hara, who lives on Warrina Place in Londonderry, said she has witnessed the rage of two floods in the two years she has lived in the suburb.
She had her family rushed to evacuated their horses, determined to get them out before having to swim to free them from their stables as she did last February.
Girls out safely early this morning.... waiting game now. Please stop raining pic.twitter.com/qwkxQzYOe0
— Kathy O'Hara (@Kathy_ohara) March 20, 2021
Ms O’Hara said rather than a rapid river rolling into her property, Sunday’s flood crept in slowly as surrounding properties were inundated.
“They said last year was a one in 30-year flood and now we are watching a one in 50,” she said.
“We were more prepared because of the lessons we learnt last year.
“When we saw the forecast we got the horses to higher ground and started to tie things down.”
The O’Hara’s neighbour, Trent lye and his family have only lived in their house for three months and, despite knowing it was a flood zone, said they couldn’t have been prepared for what would happen overnight.
“We thought we would be sweet, but we were wrong, he told the Penrith Press.
“It was quick, within 24 hours out entire block was inundated and I evacuated my family.
“We started to sandbag the house overnight after being warned by the neighbours.”
SCHOOL’S CLOSED, SANDBAGS READY
A number of Penrith public and Catholic/Independent schools are closed for Monday including Penrith Valley Public School, CathWest Innovation College (McCarthy Campus) Emu Plains and Penola Catholic College (former McCarthy High School).
On Sunday, Penrith SES spokesman Michael Fassen told The Press a rapid response team was being established at Jamison Park in order for residents to pick up much-needed sandbags to protect homes.
Meanwhile residents in Torkington Rd, Londonderry have been evacuated as floodwaters swamp roads and inundate properties.
The region has experienced heavy rain since Friday, with 105.4 mm falling in 24 hours to 9am Sunday.
Mr Fassen said Penrith units were “running out of sand” at distribution sites this morning, before a decision was made to set up the emergency response unit.
“We have crews trucked in from Cronulla and Kur-ring-gai helping us on the ground,” Mr Fassen said on Sunday afternoon.
“We have closed roads near the Nepean River in order to move the public out of the area — however, there is no evacuation warning for residents in Emu Plains or Leonay at this stage.”
The SES spokesman said the past twelve hours have seen several rescues across the Penrith Local Government Area, as attempts to “upscale sandbagging” at residential properties increases.”
RIVER RD FLOODS
Several reports of rescues come as homes in Leonay Pde, Leonay, were hit with a landslide around 10am this morning sending trees and retaining walls onto the road.
“River levels at Penrith have risen faster than previously expected and river height predictions have therefore been increased,” the Bureau of Meterology said in a statement.
“The Nepean River at Penrith may reach around 10 metres at 9pm on Sunday with moderate flooding.
“Further rises to the major flood level are possible.”
After a day of heavy rainfall, Warragamba Dam reached capacity at 3pm on Saturday, and started spilling causing the Nepean River to rise dramatically overnight.
“The heavy rainfall has resulted in river level rises observed upstream of Warragamba dam which has reached full capacity,” a NSW SES statement said.
“Warragamba dam commenced spilling around 3pm Saturday. River level rises have also been observed along the Nepean River and Upper Hawkesbury River.
“The Nepean River at Wallacia Weir is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5 metres) around 6am Sunday. Further rises to the moderate flood level are possible.
“People in low-lying parts of these areas should prepare for flooding by taking measures to protect their homes against water damage.”
Co-ordinators of the Penrith Electric Model Aero Club watched on in horror as floodwaters rose to extreme levels in the past 24 hours, completely inundating their facilities at Emu Heights.
In a message to members, club president Stephen Neill said: “we will be back”.
“Once the water has resided we will assess the damage,” he said.
NEPEAN AVE RESIDENTS STAYING POSITIVE
Residents backing onto the Nepean River on Nepean Ave said they were “staying calm” despite some losing parts of their backyard to the floodwater.
Luke Kohler has owned his house for three years, and said he’d never considered the possibility of a flood risk.
“I’ve never any pictures of these streets being flooded, so I never thought this would be the case,” he said. “Today has been quite surprising.”
He said the river was at least two metres higher than flood last February.
“I’ve been monitoring the river as it goes up and up,” he said. “My kids have been a little bit worried, my son actually packed his bag in case we had to evacuate.
“I’m just trying to reassure them we’re OK, and if the worst happens we can just leave.”
Meanwhile, Tully Barton and her friends were awake at 5.30am this morning saving furniture and equipment from a cabin that is being threatened by flood waters.
“This cabin is lived in, and we had to clear everything out,” she said.
“It took us about three hours in the rain, then we had to get things from underneath the house.
“We ran down to Bunnings to get containers to put everything in to fit in the main house, because who knows when the water will go down?”
Another cabin on the property was completely underwater at 2pm.
Ms Barton said she was trying to enjoy the situation despite the threat of flooding.
“We haven’t packed any bags yet, but we’ve got plenty of friends and family, so if anything happens, it’ll be quick and easy to get out,” she said.
“There’s always a bit of panic and fear, but as long as you’re safe, happy and taking precautions, why not try to enjoy it?”
WARRAGAMBA DAM SPILLS
Professor Jamie Pittock, Water Policy specialist at the Australian National University, said the spill and flooding situation out of Warragamba Dam was “entirely predictable, because the NSW Government hasn’t implemented good flood mitigation methods”.
“Thousands of homes are at great risk and support has not been given to establish good mitigation techiniques,” he said.
“We need to get on with moving people out of harm’s way, rather than introduce another 134,000 people to the Hawkesbury and Nepean Valley between now and 2050.”
Prof. Pittock said the current situation “highlights the risk of using a dam for water supply and flood control”.
“I am disapointed the state government didn’t act earlier to let water out of Warragamba Dam earlier to reduce the risk.
Western Sydney Minister and Penrith MP Stuart Ayres advised residents to continue to monitor the BOM and NSW SES for evacuation warnings, “particularly residents in places of low-lying nature across the region”.
“SES are paying close attention to these areas, as well as suburbs like Castlereagh, Londonderry and Wallacia,” Mr Ayres said.
“There may be some potential road closures at Mulgoa Rd, for Wallacia residents, due to the nature of the bridge crossing.”
Here are some tips when looking out for your neighbours, friends and family during a #storm https://t.co/L10iSoiGil https://t.co/5djdRA354B
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) March 20, 2021
Mr Ayres hit back at Prof. Pittock’s claims regarding the earlier release of water from Warragamba Dam.
“Letting water out of the dam before a major rain event would exacerbate the height of the flood waters in low-lying areas impacted today,” he said. “This event is looking like a one-in-50-year flood, it is not as bad as it can get.
“This flood is an example of what can happen in the Nepean Valley and the reason why we need to hold more water behind the dam for situations like this.
“We need a higher dam wall to mitigate flood risk — the reality is, the water spilling today, wouldn’t have occured if we had higher dam walls.”
There are current evacuation orders for the Hawkesbury area for Pitt Town Bottoms, Cornwallis, Pitt Town North, ow lying areas of North Richmond, Freemans Reach area and the northern end of low lying areas of Agnes Banks area.
The following roads are closed: Stony Creek/St Marys Road, Berkshire Park; Reynolds Rd, Londonderry (Between Londonderry and Luxford Roads); Carrington Road Bridge at Rickabys Creek, Londonderry; boat Ramp at Tench Reserve is closed due to raising river water; low lying paths along the river are under water in some locations and are closed; The Kingsway, Werrington; Melbourne St, Oxley Park closed between Brisbane St and Constance Ave; Luddenham Rd, Erskine Park / Orchard Hills is flooded South Creek (near Mamre Rd); Eighth Ave Bridge, Llandilo at South Creek; River Road, Emu Plains closed between Hunter St and Nepean St.
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