Relentless rain sparks mass evacuations in southwest Sydney
Heavy rainfall overnight has caused the already full Georges River to swell, with multiple suburbs being told to evacuate immediately. See the latest details and pictures.
The Express
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A huge thunderstorm has caught the city off guard overnight, with multiple suburbs told to evacuate on short notice, and flash flooding tearing through homes and sweeping cars away.
The Liverpool SES ihas been rescuing residents near Newbridge Rd, Chipping Norton, with the help of the Surf Lifesaving club, as an evacuation order remains in place for the low-lying suburbs on the Georges River.
The Georges River, which was predicted to rise to 2m at midday today by the Bureau of Meteorology, reached 4.39m at the Liverpool Bridge this morning. More thunderstorms are forecast for tonight, potentially creating a repeat of the chaos last night.
The rain came in so quickly that multiple people were left stranded on the roads including at Bunnings, Milperra on Canterbury Rd, with the force of flash flooding, pulling cars away.
Alex Stojanovic was on Milperra Rd last night when the rain hit, and flash flooding quickly brought the water up to waist height. Following the traffic on Milperra Rd, everyone had to keep moving forward, and he pulled into the carpark at 7.50om and immediately called triple-0.
Because of the conditions, it took 30 minutes for the SES to arrive, with everyone else stuck in the Bunnings carpark, unable to leave.
Mr Stojanovic said he and three others were pushing stalled cars out of the floodwaters while they waiting for the SES to come.
“I tried to help people last night, and met some great people as well, and made friends,” said Stojanovic.
The nearby Milperra McDonalds was a temporary refuge for people stuck outside of their cars. Store manager Rachael Lindsay noted that one woman was extremely distressed as her car floated away.
“Her car was flooded and she didn’t have insurance,” said Ms Lindsay.
They reopened the store in the morning, only for the street to flood and close again.
Road traffic worker Mohamed Khan set up at 11pm last night to block access to Milperra Road. In that time, he said he saw “at least 30-40 cars towed, a lot of them high-end, and some BMWs”.
The water cleared as the sun came up, only to flood again three hours later.
He was set up in nearby Ashforde Avenue, just off Milperra Rd, blocking access before returning to Milperra Rd. As soon as he left Ashforde St, a car tried to drive through the flood waters. It’s still there.
Videos shared across social media show Stacy St, the Hume Highway, and other main roads between Liverpool and Milperra hit with flash flooding last night.
The intensity of the rain caught many residents off guard, including Milperra Locals Debbie and Mark Le Cornu, who spent the night rotating towels between the floor and the dryer to try and keep their precious posessions safe, including a record collection and hi-fi equipment.
They said they usually get advance warnings when there’s an evacuation risk, but the order to evacuate came out of nowhere late last night. They’re worried if the rain continues tonight, they could be blocked off at either end of the street.
“A mate of mine rang me up and said I feel sorry for you, but there’s people doing it a lot worse out there,” said Mr Le Cornu.
Two evacuation centres have been set up, Cabra-Vale Diggers Club at 1 Bartley St, Canley Vale, and Club Central Menai at 44-60 Allison Cres, Menai.
Evacuation orders:
Chipping Norton:
- Southern side of Newbridge Road, between Davey Robinson Drive and Milperra Bridge.
- Northern side of Newbridge Road between Rickard Road and Riverside Road.
- Eastern side of Henry Lawson Drive, between Milperra Road and Auld Avenue.
- Epsom Road between Westbury Street and Governor Macquarie Drive.
- Riverside Road between Newbridge Road and Alfred Road
Lansvale:
- Knight Street between Day Street and Hollywood Drive
- Lower Day Street
- Erna Avenue
- Lucy Avenue
- Mena Avenue
- Willis Street
- Hollywood Drive Between Knight Street and Willis Street.
Holsworthy:
- Heathcote Road, between Harris Creek and Deadmans Creek.
Milperra:
- Deepwater Park
Warwick Farm:
- The Warwick Farm Racecourse
Picnic Point:
- Carinya Road
Georges Hall:
- Beatty Parade
East Hills:
- Properties in the area bounded by Henry Lawson Drive, the railway, Georges River and the East Hills Footbridge
Camden:
- Cawder Road between Barsden Street and Murray Street
- Peter Avenue between Onslow Avenue and Belgenny Avenue
- Sheathers Lane
- Kirkham Lane
- Menangle Road near Racecourse Road may be isolated
- Poplar Caravan Park
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