NSW Floods: Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands urged to prepare as storms lash the state
Emergency services are urging residents to remain vigilant, even as they estimate the worst of the storms has passed – including the one of the highest recorded rainfall levels in NSW.
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Emergency services are urging residents in the Southern Highlands to remain vigilant, even as they predict the worst of the wet weather has passed.
The Southern Highlands received a drenching yesterday, with staggering rainfall recorded across the region.
Robertson even received a special mention from the Bureau of Meteorology after it copped one of the highest falls in the state with 201mm in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday. Macquarie Pass was not far behind with 181mm, which will not assist in repairing the damaged road.
A spokesman for the NSW State Emergency Services said it looked like the worst of the storms had already passed in the Highlands, but urged residents to continue to be vigilant as the weather can change quickly.
“We’re likely to see an increase in rain around the Southern Highlands again later on this afternoon into this evening but it doesn’t look like it will be as bad as yesterday,” he said.
“Given the uncertainties of the weather, we’d like to say the worst is over but people should remain vigilant for the possibility that heavy rain may redevelop.”
He warned people living near rivers or creeks, such as the swollen Mittagong Creek, should be particularly cautious of the potential for flooding.
However, he said volunteers would continue to be available around the clock to assist residents in need.
“Given the flash flood nature of the Highlands in some locations, our SES volunteers are always on hand just in case,” he said.
The SES spokesman urged residents to continue to be cautious while travelling, particularly in areas affected by heavy rainfall over a short period of time.
“People should take a few kilometres off the speed limit and just drive to the conditions,” he said.
One of the biggest concerns for the emergency services going forward will be the after-effects of the heavy rain, such as the destabilisation of trees and the destruction of the roads.
Inspector David Stimson from Wingecarribee Rural Fire Service said the continuing wet weather could cause trees to fall across the Shire.
He noted many trees are close to the roads and warned residents to be careful.
“If we get any winds with the massive amount of rain we’ve got, there could be a lot of tree fall,” he said.
“(After heavy rain) It doesn’t take a lot for a good wind to push a tree over.”
While he acknowledged the predicted wild weather had not eventuated as anticipated on Thursday, Insp Stimson said the local Rural Fire Service crews will be on hand to support the SES in case the situation changes.
“It could all change in the next hour,” he said.
Commuters will be relieved to learn the Southern Highlands train line is up and running again after lengthy delays and closures yesterday.
Buses will also be running to supplement the service.
If you’re eager to know how much rain your neighbourhood has received, have a scroll through our handy rainfall guide below.
Wednesday, March 2
Heavy rainfall is wreaking havoc in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands, causing road and school closures, overflowing dams, and daily disruption.
The Southern Highlands and Tablelands are being lashed by heavy rainfall this week as a deepening low pressure system batters south eastern NSW.
The latest data from the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted up to 200mm of rainfall will fall around Bowral in a single day on Wednesday. The expected rainfall represents a deluge of nearly double the average rainfall for the whole month of March – in just one day.
A warning issued by the NSW SES Wingecarribee Unit said locally intense rainfall which could lead to flash flooding is possible. They also warn of the possibility of damaging high winds reaching gust speeds of up to 90km/hr, with the potential for locally destructive gusts of up to 125km/hr.
Roads and schools have been closed throughout the region as emergency services warn residents to stay home and stay safe.
The NSW SES Wingecarribee Unit has been urging residents to prepare for potential flooding with helpful advice and a number of sandbag stations across the Wingecarribee Shire.
If you require sandbags to protect your property from being damaged in the storms, head to one of the self-fill stations being run by the local SES team:
- Wingecarribee SES local headquarters at 16 Bessemer St, Mittagong
- Moss Vale Saleyards at 205 Berrima Rd, Moss Vale
- Robertson RFS at 1 Wallangunda St, Robertson
On the other hand, Goulburn was expected to receive 45 – 70mm of rain on Wednesday, with warnings of heavy rain and damaging gusts of wind in the area and surrounds for the next few days.
Sandbags in the Southern Tablelands are being provided at the NSW SES Goulburn headquarters at 4 Lanigan Ln. The headquarters have handed out more than 500 sandbags since Tuesday night as people prepare for the onslaught.
According to the SES team, approximately four sandbags are required per door to secure a residence.
NSW SES Goulburn Unit volunteer and duty officer Bonnie Wilson said the line for sandbags was so long on Tuesday night that it wrapped around the perimeter of the headquarters.
Ms Wilson was pleased with the community response to the recent SES warnings and said that “people seem to be preparing more than last time.” She noted the improvement since January, when locals impacted by natural disasters were asking for sandbags after they affected.
NSW SES Goulburn Unit Commander, Daryl Skinner, said the unit has only received two or three calls on Wednesday for the region.
However, he mentioned that most emergency calls occur after work hours, and that the team of 50 – 56 volunteers will be prepared if any incidents arise.
Sandbags will also be available at Peden Pavillion, which can be accessed via the Goulburn Recreation ground.
A number of schools in the Southern Highlands closed early on Wednesday due to the wet road conditions. Chevalier College, Oxley College and Moss Vale High have all indicated to parents they will remain closed tomorrow.
Locals will remember a number of local roads became impassable during last year’s downpour, which led to long delays for many and temporary isolation for some.
To help locals navigate that tricky issue, the SES Wingecarribee Unit has disclosed some of the worst offending roads to avoid if the rivers rise.
At the moment, Transport for NSW advises Macquarie Pass on the Illawarra Highway is closed due to flooding. Motorists are advised to take either Picton Rd or the Princes Highway as alternative routes.
Transport for NSW has also advised Moss Vale Rd has been closed between Barfield Rd and Myra Vale Rd due to rock slides and fallen trees.
Wingecarribee Shire Council have announced Mack Rd in Moss Vale, Drapers Rd in Colo Vale, and Oldbury Rd in Sutton Forest have all been closed due to flooding.
Meanwhile Sheepwash Rd near the railway tracks approaching the Illawarra Highway outside of Burrawang is covered with water and should be avoided.
In Goulburn, current road closures are the Blackshaw Road underpass, Mills Road, Stewerts Crossing, Murrays Flat Road and Highlands Way.
Motorists are reminded to never drive through floodwater and to navigate around flooded areas where possible.
The SES Wingecarribee Unit lent a hand in neighbouring Wollondilly Shire to assist the flood prevention efforts in Picton, which was issued an evacuation warning on Wednesday afternoon.
The team will head back to the Southern Highlands after helping the local teams sandbag and secure the town.
A representative of the unit said the Southern Highlands has suffered some serious storm damage but is not expected to experience flash flooding.
However, the nearby Warragamba Dam has begun to spill earlier than predicted, which could cause future flooding incidents.
Before 7am on Wednesday morning, Warragamba Dam reached capacity and started spilling though its crest gates. The dam may continue to spill over for up to two weeks, according to Water NSW.
“The spill rate will ultimately be determined by the intensity of the rainfall and the inflow generated,” a statement from the department said.
However, Water NSW noted the predicted spill peak is well below the level experienced during the 2021 floods.
The overflow will likely cause rivers to swell and may cause flash flooding.
All sporting fields have been closed in the Southern Highlands and Goulburn for the safety of the communities.
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Originally published as NSW Floods: Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands urged to prepare as storms lash the state
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