Commuter nightmare as major storm lashes Sydney

Commuters trying to get home from work today are facing huge delays on road and rail networks. The delays are causing chaotic scenes.

Those who did not heed warnings to “leave work early” are facing a horror commute home following the largest November storm for more than three decades.

Flooded tracks, roads and underpasses as well as fallen trees have led to the closure of a number of stations on Sydney’s north shore.

In Brisbane, the situation is equally miserable — all train lines in both directions from Central Station are experiencing delays of up to 60 minutes.

This morning, a teenager tragically died on the treacherous roads and two police officers were seriously injured when a tree fell on their car.

The 14-year-old boy was a passenger in a car being driven by a friend, 17, when it crashed with another vehicle.

An SES volunteer also died this afternoon after collapsing in Sydney while on duty.

There have been several other injuries and almost 50 car crashes on roads awash with water.

Police have said the conditions are “horrendous” and the “worst we’ve seen” following a storm. They have implored motorists not to drive through floodwaters, with 12 people having been rescued on Wednesday.

Heavy rain hits Sydney

VIEW GALLERY

Strong winds across Endeavour Energy network. Stay at least 8 metres clear of fallen power lines and call @endeavourenergy on 131 003 to report lines down. Take care on the roads. pic.twitter.com/hKObn5i5MT

— Endeavour Energy (@endeavourenergy) November 28, 2018

While the rain has eased in Sydney, the low pressure system is expected to swing around for a second dumping on the city later today. That could be combined with fierce winds of up to 90km/h that may knock over already waterlogged trees.

Gusts of 74 km/h have been recorded on Sydney Harbour, 74 km/h in Wollongong and 95 km/h in Maitland.

Since 5am Sydney CBD has seen 124mm of rainfall, Olympic Park 87mm, Moss Vale 74mm, Nowra 133mm, Norah Head on the Central Coast 67mm and Bega 42mm. Although Wollongong, which was right in the firing line, has seen 45mm which was less than expected.

Commuters struggle against torrential rain and gale force winds in Lewisham as Sydney is lashed with a monumental early summer storm, 28/11/18. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

St James station also succumbed to flooding. Picture John Grainger

ROADS TO AVOID

NSW Police’s Traffic Commander Michael Corboy said the conditions on Sydney’s roads have been atrocious.

“The conditions we are experiencing today are some of the worst I’ve ever seen, and I am appealing to everyone, motorists and pedestrians alike, to take care,” he said.

A spokesman for Sydney’s Transport Management Centre told news.com.au numerous sets of traffic lights were either blacked out or flashing yellow across the city — including at North Ryde, Macquarie Park, Hunters Hill, Arncliffe and Pagewood.

Elsewhere, flooding is affecting westbound lanes of Canal Road at Burrows Road at St Peters.

In Rozelle, flooding is affecting eastbound lanes of The Crescent approaching James Craig Road.

Oxford Falls Road is closed between Wakehurst Parkway and Avoona Road,Oxford Falls.

Eastern Valley Way is closed in both directions between Boundary Street and Victoria Avenue, Castle Cove.

Rainfall at 3pm on Wednesday. The heaviest rain is circling Sydney and will likely head back over the city. Picture: Windy.

Outside St James Station on Elizabeth St streets are drenched. Picture: Vanessa Pow

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PAIN

Several stations that were forced to close when they flooded this morning are back open again, said Ms Prendergast.

“Lewisham Station reopened after being closed to flooding, however there are scattered delays to some train services across the network due to the severe weather so we ask that customers listen to station announcements and check indicator boards.”

There are no T1 North Shore trainsbetween Gordon and Hornsby due to a tree falling into overhead wiring between Pymble and Turramurra. Replacement buses are being organised but are not yet on site.

Expect delays ontrainsand allow extra travel time on the T1 North Shore, Northern and Western Line, T2 Inner West and Leppington Line, T3 Bankstown Line and T8 Airport and South Lines.

Light railservices have resumed after flooding earlier closed the entire line.

Buses are replacing Parramatta River ferries between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park as the weir is overflowing. Cockatoo Island Wharf is closed so F3 and F8 ferries are not stopping there

Buses are reporting delays of around 30 minutes, particularly towards costal suburbs.

Sydney Airport has suffered delays all day as it was forced to close all but one runway at times.

It is now back to a full service, but about 50 flights have already been cancelled or delayed.

The wild weather has also left more than 6500 homes and businesses without power in northern Sydney — which Ausgrid has put down to thunderstorm activity.

Umbrellas were no match for the weather. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Cars plough through flash flooding over Wells St at Springfield. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook.

DEATH ON THE ROAD

About 9am this morning, emergency services were called to a two-vehicle crash in Thornleigh, and found a male passenger had died at the scene.

The car’s other occupants, both also male, have been taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.

The two injured police officers were called to the busy Pittwater Road in North Ryde, in the city’s north, at 6.50am this morning, when a tree fell on two of the officers and a vehicle.

One man died in a car crash on wet roads in Sydney’s north. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook.

Scene of fatal car accident on The Esplanade at Thornleigh, Sydney on Wednesday as a low pressure system lashed the region. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

A tree fell on two police officers in North Ryde this morning.

A male constable sustained minor injuries and a female constable sustained serious injuries, including a suspected broken leg.

She was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and has been taken to Royal North Shore hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The SES has more than 60 crews out and about in NSW.

Everything. Is. Down.#Trains seem to be on time but it's only a matter of time...@newscomauHQ#strathfieldstation #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/OszlEzosM8

— Shireen Khalil (@Shireenkal) November 27, 2018

⚠ ⛈ Due to adverse weather conditions today, we expect that International and Domestic terminals will experience some flight delays and cancellations. Please contact your airline for more information.

— Sydney Airport ✈️ (@SydneyAirport) November 27, 2018

Trains stations across the city are being flooded. Picture: John Grainger

Morning commuters are copping a hammering across Sydney.

More than 33mm of rain has already fallen in the past hour

Minor to moderate flash flooding is possible along the Hawkesbury, Nepean, Cooks and Georges rivers, the bureau says.

SES Assistant Commissioner Scott Hanckel was hopeful it would have thousands of volunteers available to call on across the South Coast, Hunter and Sydney metro areas, should people need help with fallen trees or flooding.

Ausgrid Chief Operating Officer Trevor Armstrong said people should prepare for the rain and wind before they arrive by doing a quick check on yards and putting away loose items.

Once offshore, the weather system is expected to deliver damaging winds to coastal areas and provide hazardous surf into Thursday but is expected to ease.